Lake Carmel Dam dam
Lake Carmel Dam
Lake Carmel Dam, located in Cole County, Missouri, is a privately owned earth dam that was completed in 1972 for the primary purpose of recreation. Standing at a height of 37 feet and stretching 1,150 feet in length, the dam has a storage capacity of 796 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 43 acres. It is regulated by the Dam and Reservoir Safety Program in Missouri, ensuring state permitting, inspection, and enforcement are conducted to maintain its safety and integrity.
With a high hazard potential but satisfactory condition assessment as of 2007, Lake Carmel Dam poses a moderate risk level and undergoes regular inspections every three years. Despite its uncontrolled spillway type and lack of outlet gates, the dam's construction by A. Lepper and P.S. Thomas has provided a reliable water resource and recreation area for residents and visitors to enjoy. While there are no associated structures or locks, the dam remains a vital component of the TR Clark Fork river system in Jefferson City, Missouri.
Managed by private owners, Lake Carmel Dam plays a crucial role in water management and flood control in the region, with a drainage area of 270 square miles and a maximum discharge capacity of 565 cubic feet per second. The dam's location and design contribute to its significance as a recreational hub and essential infrastructure for the local community. Despite its age, Lake Carmel Dam continues to serve as a testament to effective dam regulation and maintenance to ensure public safety and water resource sustainability.
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 Lake Carmel Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Osage River Below St. Thomas | 10,100 cfs | → |
| Moreau River Near Jefferson City | 81 cfs | → |
| Missouri River At Jefferson City | 47,800 cfs | → |
| Maries River At Westphalia | 53 cfs | → |
| Osage River Near Bagnell | 13,800 cfs | → |
| Gasconade River Near Rich Fountain | 2,050 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Carmel Dam.
Boat launches
- Old Ferry Road 10801, Cole County
- Scheuler Ferry Road West 698, Miller County
- Kings Bluff Drive 201, Miller County
- Jefferson City
- River Road 218, Tuscumbia
- Callaway County
Campgrounds
- Binder Park
- Pine Ridge Recreation Area
- Pine Ridge
- Pine Ridge Campground
- Cooper's Landing Campground
- Versailles City Park
Track Lake Carmel 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 Lake Carmel Dam
Where does the data for Lake Carmel 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 Lake Carmel Dam.