Desoto Mine Pit & Plant A Dam dam
Desoto Mine Pit & Plant A Dam
Located in Richwoods, Missouri, the Desoto Mine Pit & Plant A Dam, also known as the Desoto Mining Co. Pit and Plant A Dam, stands as a significant structure for water resource and climate enthusiasts. Built in 1980, this rockfill dam serves primarily for tailings purposes, with a structural height of 78 feet and a length of 3700 feet. The dam's maximum storage capacity reaches 3700 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 2670 acre-feet and a surface area of 180 acres.
Managed by a private owner, the Desoto Mine Pit & Plant A Dam is regulated by the DAM AND RESERVOIR SAFETY PROG in Missouri. The dam poses a high hazard potential, yet its condition assessment remains satisfactory as of December 2007. With a drainage area of 455 square miles and a tributary of Ditch Creek, the dam plays a crucial role in water management and flood control in the region. Despite its moderate risk level, the dam's inspection frequency is set at 3 years, showcasing a commitment to safety and maintenance.
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 Desoto Mine Pit & Plant A Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Big River Near Richwoods | 346 cfs | → |
| Meramec River Near Sullivan | 574 cfs | → |
| Big River At Byrnesville | 361 cfs | → |
| Meramec River At Pacific | 1,300 cfs | → |
| Bourbeuse River At Union | 353 cfs | → |
| Big River At Irondale | 44 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Desoto Mine Pit & Plant A Dam.
Boat launches
- Highway W Franklin County
- Meramec State Park Franklin County
- Stierberger Court Union
- Highway Uu Franklin County
- Crawford County
- Choctaw Drive St. Francois County
Campgrounds
- Washington State Park
- Backpack Camp 8
- Meramec State Park
- Backpack Camp 1
- Backpack Camp 2
- Brazil Creek Trailhead
Fishing spots
Track Desoto Mine Pit & Plant A 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 Desoto Mine Pit & Plant A Dam
Where does the data for Desoto Mine Pit & Plant A 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 Desoto Mine Pit & Plant A Dam.