Sunrise Big Lake Dam dam
Sunrise Big Lake Dam
Sunrise Big Lake Dam, located in DeSoto, Missouri, is a privately owned earth dam completed in 1961 for recreational purposes. With a height of 38 feet and a length of 480 feet, the dam holds a maximum storage capacity of 168 acre-feet, serving as a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts in the area. The dam is regulated by the Dam and Reservoir Safety Program in Missouri, ensuring that it meets state inspection and enforcement standards.
Despite its satisfactory condition assessment in 2012, the dam has a high hazard potential, prompting a moderate risk assessment. The spillway type is uncontrolled with a width of 24 feet, and the dam is designed to handle a maximum discharge of 2,229 cubic feet per second. The surrounding area boasts a surface area of 12 acres and a drainage area of 260 acres, offering a picturesque setting for various recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and birdwatching.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will appreciate the unique features of Sunrise Big Lake Dam, from its stone core foundations to its location along the TR to Joachim Creek. The dam's proximity to nature and its critical role in providing water storage for recreational use make it a valuable asset in the region. As efforts continue to ensure the dam's safety and compliance with regulations, visitors can enjoy the beauty and tranquility of Sunrise Big Lake, making it a must-visit destination for those passionate about water resources and conservation.
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 Sunrise Big Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Big River Below Desloge | 80 cfs | → |
| Big River Near Richwoods | 346 cfs | → |
| Big River At Irondale | 44 cfs | → |
| Big River At Byrnesville | 361 cfs | → |
| Meramec River At Pacific | 1,300 cfs | → |
| Meramec River Near Sullivan | 574 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sunrise Big Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Choctaw Drive St. Francois County
- Bismarch Lake Road St. Francois County
- Williamson Road Oakville
- Ellis Grove Parkway Jefferson County
- Council Bluff Lake Trail Washington County
- Lemay Ferry Road Oakville
Campgrounds
- St. Francois State Park
- Washington State Park
- St. Joe State Park
- Hawn State Park
- Brazil Creek Trailhead
- Berryman
Fishing spots
Track Sunrise Big 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 Sunrise Big Lake Dam
Where does the data for Sunrise Big 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 Sunrise Big Lake Dam.