Tunnel Dam dam
Tunnel Dam
Tunnel Dam, also known as Niangua Lake, is a gravity dam located on the Niangua River in Camden, Missouri. Built in 1930 for hydroelectric purposes, this concrete and earth dam stands at a height of 24 feet and has a length of 878 feet. With a storage capacity of 2650 acre-feet, it serves as a crucial water resource for the region, covering a surface area of 360 acres and draining a watershed area of 627 square miles.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Tunnel Dam is classified as having a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment. Despite its age, the dam remains in good condition according to the latest inspection in May 2019. While not state regulated, the dam plays a key role in providing hydroelectric power and maintaining water levels in the area. With its uncontrolled spillway and maximum discharge capacity of 62,000 cubic feet per second, Tunnel Dam exemplifies engineering excellence in harnessing water resources for sustainable energy production.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Tunnel Dam offers a fascinating glimpse into the intersection of technology, environment, and energy production. Its multi-arch design and soil foundation showcase innovative engineering practices from the early 20th century, while its continued operation highlights the importance of sustainable water management in the face of changing climate patterns. As a vital component of the region's water infrastructure, Tunnel Dam stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of hydroelectric power in shaping our relationship with the natural world.
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 Tunnel Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Niangua River At Tunnel Dam Near Macks Creek | 514 cfs | → |
| Niangua River At Windyville | 120 cfs | → |
| Osage River Near Bagnell | 30,700 cfs | → |
| Gasconade River Near Hazelgreen | 332 cfs | → |
| Lindley Creek Near Polk | 72 cfs | → |
| Pomme De Terre River Near Hermitage | 1,920 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Tunnel Dam .
Boat launches
- Dallas County
- Gale Access Boat Ramp
- Bssp 1 Road Laclede County
- Pa He Tsi Boat Launch
- Mccubbins Public Boat Ramp
Campgrounds
- Ho-Humm Canoe Rental & Campground
- Niangua River Oaisis Family Campground
- Niangua River Oaisis Campground
- Bennett Spring State Park
- Lake Of The Ozarks Military
- Lake Of The Ozarks State Park
Track Tunnel 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 Tunnel Dam
Where does the data for Tunnel 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 Low 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 Tunnel Dam .