Tharp Orchard Lake Dam dam
Tharp Orchard Lake Dam
Tharp Orchard Lake Dam, located in Jackson County, Missouri, serves as a crucial irrigation source for the surrounding area. With a primary purpose of irrigation, the dam also provides opportunities for recreation on the 4-acre surface area of Tharp Orchard Lake. Standing at a height of 25 feet, the earth dam is supported by buttress core types, ensuring structural integrity for the 54-acre-feet of storage capacity it offers.
Despite its significant role in water resource management, the Tharp Orchard Lake Dam is classified as having a high hazard potential with a condition assessment that is currently not rated. This designation highlights the importance of regular inspections and maintenance to ensure the safety and functionality of the dam. While the dam is not state-regulated or permitted, its operation and enforcement fall under the responsibility of private ownership.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, the Tharp Orchard Lake Dam presents a unique opportunity to explore the intersection of irrigation infrastructure and recreational use in a privately-owned setting. With its location in the heart of Missouri, the dam's role in supporting the local community's water needs underscores the importance of sustainable water management practices in the face of changing climate conditions.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Tharp Orchard Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little Blue River Near Lake City | 332 cfs | → |
| East Fork Little Blue River Nr Blue Springs | 10 cfs | → |
| Blue River At Stadium Drive In Kc | 1,390 cfs | → |
| Missouri River At Kansas City | 48,000 cfs | → |
| Blue River At Kansas City | 533 cfs | → |
| Crooked River Near Richmond | 35 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Tharp Orchard Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Clay County
- Mo 210 Ray County
- Mo 291 Sugar Creek
- Lee's Summit
- Odessa Lake Road Lafayette County
- River Front Park Kansas City
Track Tharp Orchard Lake Dam in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Tharp Orchard Lake Dam
Where does the data for Tharp Orchard Lake Dam come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the High hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Tharp Orchard Lake Dam.