Lake Forest Dam Dam
Lake Forest Dam
Lake Forest Dam, also known as Forest Lake Dam, is a privately owned structure located in Bloomsdale, Missouri. Completed in 1970, this earth dam stands at a height of 47 feet and stretches 650 feet in length, creating a reservoir with a storage capacity of 2000 acre-feet. Situated on Big Bottom Creek, the dam serves a recreational purpose with a surface area of 87 acres and a normal storage capacity of 1100 acre-feet.
Despite being privately owned, Lake Forest Dam falls under the regulatory jurisdiction of the DAM AND RESERVOIR SAFETY PROG in Missouri. The dam has a high hazard potential but is in satisfactory condition as of the last assessment in 2007. Regular inspections are conducted, with the last one in February 2017, and emergency action plans are in place to ensure public safety in case of emergencies. The risk assessment for the dam is moderate, with measures in place to manage potential risks.
Overall, Lake Forest Dam is a vital structure for recreation in the area, offering a scenic reservoir for water resource and climate enthusiasts to enjoy. Despite its high hazard potential, the dam is well-maintained and regularly inspected to ensure the safety of surrounding communities. With its picturesque setting on Big Bottom Creek in Ste. Genevieve County, Missouri, Lake Forest Dam continues to be an essential part of the local landscape.
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 Lake Forest Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Big River Below Desloge | 110 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River At Chester | 249,000 cfs | → |
| South Fork Saline Creek Near Perryville | 47 cfs | → |
| Big River At Irondale | 55 cfs | → |
| Little St. Francis River At Fredericktown | 7 cfs | → |
| Richland Creek Near Hecker | 16 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Forest Dam.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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About Lake Forest Dam
Where does the data for Lake Forest 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 below 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.
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.