Lembeck Lake Dam dam
Lembeck Lake Dam
Lembeck Lake Dam, located in Jefferson County, Missouri, serves as a vital water resource and recreational area for the local community. Built in 1958, this private-owned Earth dam stands at a height of 26 feet and has a storage capacity of 348 acre-feet. With a primary purpose of recreation, the dam provides a picturesque setting for outdoor activities such as fishing, boating, and birdwatching.
Despite its importance as a recreational spot, Lembeck Lake Dam is classified as having a high hazard potential due to its condition assessment being marked as "Not Rated". The last inspection of the dam was conducted in 1981, emphasizing the need for regular maintenance and assessment to ensure the safety and stability of the structure. Additionally, the dam does not fall under state jurisdiction, highlighting the importance of private owners taking responsibility for the upkeep and management of such critical infrastructure.
As a water resource and climate enthusiast, Lembeck Lake Dam presents a fascinating case study in the intersection of human interaction with natural landscapes. With its location on Whitehead Creek and a drainage area of 2200 square miles, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water flow and providing recreational opportunities. As we continue to face challenges posed by climate change, it is essential to monitor and maintain dams like Lembeck Lake to ensure their resilience and longevity in the face of evolving environmental conditions.
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 Lembeck Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Big River Near Richwoods | 346 cfs | → |
| Big River Below Desloge | 80 cfs | → |
| Big River At Byrnesville | 361 cfs | → |
| Big River At Irondale | 44 cfs | → |
| Meramec River At Pacific | 1,300 cfs | → |
| Meramec River Near Eureka | 1,770 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lembeck Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Choctaw Drive St. Francois County
- Williamson Road Oakville
- Ellis Grove Parkway Jefferson County
- Lemay Ferry Road Oakville
- Bismarch Lake Road St. Francois County
- Allen Road 204, Fenton
Campgrounds
- Washington State Park
- St. Francois State Park
- St. Joe State Park
- Robertsville State Park
- Hawn State Park
- Brazil Creek Trailhead
Fishing spots
Track Lembeck 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 Lembeck Lake Dam
Where does the data for Lembeck 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 Lembeck Lake Dam.