Crane Lake dam
Crane Lake
Crane Lake, located in Iron County, Missouri, is a federally-owned body of water managed by the Forest Service for recreational purposes. The dam, completed in 1971, stands at a height of 46 feet and spans 377 feet in length. With a storage capacity of 2,210 acre-feet and a surface area of 99 acres, the lake provides ample opportunities for fishing, wildlife observation, and other outdoor activities.
Despite its scenic beauty and recreational value, Crane Lake poses a high hazard potential due to its unsatisfactory condition assessment. The dam's spillway type is uncontrolled, and its maximum discharge capacity is 11,800 cubic feet per second. Regular inspections are conducted by the Forest Service to ensure public safety. The risk assessment for the dam is moderate, with measures in place to manage potential hazards.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts visiting Crane Lake can appreciate its ecological significance within the region. The lake serves as a vital habitat for fish and wildlife, while also offering a serene setting for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy. As efforts continue to maintain and improve the dam's infrastructure, visitors can experience the beauty of Crane Lake while being mindful of its potential risks and the importance of sustainable water resource management.
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 Crane Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| St. Francis River Near Saco | 135 cfs | → |
| St. Francis River Near Mill Creek | 149 cfs | → |
| Black River Near Annapolis | 303 cfs | → |
| East Fork Black River At Lesterville | 44 cfs | → |
| East Fork Black River Nr Lesterville | 9 cfs | → |
| St. Francis River Near Patterson | 444 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Crane Lake.
Boat launches
- Ozark Trail - Marble Creek Section Iron County
- Mudlick Equestrian And Hike Trail Wayne County
- Bismarch Lake Road St. Francois County
- Wayne County
- Enough Boat Launch And Trailhead
- Council Bluff Lake Trail Washington County
Campgrounds
- Marble Creek Recreation Area
- Marble Creek Rec Area
- Highway K - Clearwater Lake
- Sam A Baker State Park
- Silver Mines Recreation Area
- Silver Mines
Fishing spots
- Crane Lake Recreation Area
- Howell Lake
- Parole Lake
- Huzzah Ponds
- Timberline Lake
- Beaver Lake Recreation Area
Paddle runs
- Forest Boundary At North Section Line Of Sec 4, T33n, R5e To Forest Boundary At South Section Line Of Sec 35, T32n, R5e
- Markam Spring Recreation Area To Nf Boundary
- The Most Upstream Portion Of Ozark National Scenic Riverways To The Most Downstream Portion Of Ozark National Scenic Riverways
- Confluence With Alley Spring (Branch) To Confluence With Current River (Does Not Include River Segment In Gap Between Parkland Units)
- State Highway 49 Bridge Near Dillard, Missouri To Forest Boundary In Sections 13/24, T38n, R3w
Track Crane Lake 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 Crane Lake
Where does the data for Crane Lake 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 Crane Lake.