Tamarack Dam dam
Tamarack Dam
Tamarack Dam, located in Byrnesville, Missouri, was completed in 1964 and stands at a height of 29 feet. With a primary purpose of recreation, this private-owned earth dam overlooks the TR-Sand Creek and provides a storage capacity of 248 acre-feet. Despite being classified as having a high hazard potential, the dam's condition assessment remains unrated since its last inspection in 1978.
The dam's location in Jefferson County, Missouri, offers a tranquil setting for water resource and climate enthusiasts to explore. With a surface area of 16 acres and a drainage area of 128 square miles, Tamarack Dam serves as a vital recreational spot for the local community. However, its lack of state regulation and inspection raises concerns about its long-term safety and maintenance, especially given its high hazard potential.
As a notable structure in the Kansas City District, Tamarack Dam provides valuable insights into the management of water resources and the impact of climate on infrastructure. The dam's unique design, including a buttress core and unknown foundation, presents an opportunity for further study and evaluation. With its rich history and scenic surroundings, Tamarack Dam is a must-visit destination for those passionate about water resource management and climate resilience.
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 Tamarack Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Big River At Byrnesville | 361 cfs | → |
| Meramec River At Pacific | 1,300 cfs | → |
| Meramec River Near Eureka | 1,770 cfs | → |
| Williams Creek Near Peerless Park | 8 cfs | → |
| Kiefer Creek Near Ballwin | 1 cfs | → |
| Fenton Creek Near Fenton | 1 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Tamarack Dam.
Boat launches
- Ellis Grove Parkway Jefferson County
- Allen Road 204, Fenton
- Allen Road Fenton
- Grand Glaize Pkwy 1084, Valley Park
- Williamson Road Oakville
- Lemay Ferry Road Oakville
Campgrounds
- Robertsville State Park
- Babler Memorial State Park
- Klondike County Park
- Washington State Park
- St. Francois State Park
- Backpack Camp 8
Paddle runs
Track Tamarack 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 Tamarack Dam
Where does the data for Tamarack 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 Tamarack Dam.