Mar-Kay Lake Dam dam
Mar-Kay Lake Dam
Mar-Kay Lake Dam, located in Hickory Hill, Missouri, stands as a crucial structure for irrigation and recreation purposes. Built in 1970, this earth dam with a height of 20 feet provides a maximum storage capacity of 86 acre-feet, with a normal storage of 40 acre-feet. Situated on the TR BOIS BRULE CREEK, the dam covers a surface area of 8 acres and serves a drainage area of 110 acres.
Despite being privately owned and not regulated by the state, Mar-Kay Lake Dam is classified as having high hazard potential. With a condition assessment of "not rated," the dam's emergency action plan status and risk management measures remain unclear. The dam's spillway type, outlet gates, and inspection frequency are also not specified in the available data.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Mar-Kay Lake Dam presents an intriguing case study in dam infrastructure management and emergency preparedness. The lack of detailed information on its condition assessment and risk management highlights the importance of regular inspections and maintenance for ensuring the safety and functionality of such vital water structures. As efforts continue to monitor and assess the risks associated with high-hazard dams like Mar-Kay Lake Dam, there is a need for increased transparency and accountability in the maintenance and operation of these critical water resources.
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 Mar-Kay Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Osage River Below St. Thomas | 9,920 cfs | → |
| Moreau River Near Jefferson City | 68 cfs | → |
| Missouri River At Jefferson City | 47,800 cfs | → |
| Maries River At Westphalia | 43 cfs | → |
| Osage River Near Bagnell | 7,750 cfs | → |
| Gasconade River Near Rich Fountain | 1,560 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Mar-Kay Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Scheuler Ferry Road West 698, Miller County
- Old Ferry Road 10801, Cole County
- Kings Bluff Drive 201, Miller County
- River Road 218, Tuscumbia
- Jefferson City
- Miller County
Campgrounds
- Binder Park
- Lake Of The Ozarks State Park
- Lake Of The Ozarks Military
- Pine Ridge Recreation Area
- Pine Ridge Campground
- Pine Ridge
Track Mar-Kay 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 Mar-Kay Lake Dam
Where does the data for Mar-Kay 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 Mar-Kay Lake Dam.