Bell-Settle Lake Dam dam
Bell-Settle Lake Dam
Bell-Settle Lake Dam, located in Potosi, Missouri, serves as a private water resource structure with a primary purpose of recreation. Completed in 1950, this earth dam stands at a height of 33 feet and has a storage capacity of 230 acre-feet. The dam overlooks the TR-Mine A Breton Creek, offering a serene setting for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy water-based activities in a picturesque environment.
Despite its age, Bell-Settle Lake Dam has a high hazard potential and is classified as not rated in terms of condition assessment. The last inspection date was in 1981, indicating a need for more frequent monitoring and maintenance to ensure the safety and functionality of the structure. With a surface area of 13 acres and a drainage area of 170 acres, the dam plays a crucial role in water management and recreational opportunities in the region.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will find Bell-Settle Lake Dam a fascinating subject for further exploration and study. Its historical significance, design characteristics, and potential risks present an intriguing case study for those interested in the intersection of water infrastructure, environmental stewardship, and public safety. As efforts to address aging infrastructure and mitigate climate-related challenges continue to gain importance, the story of Bell-Settle Lake Dam serves as a reminder of the ongoing need for sustainable water resource management practices and resilient infrastructure development.
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 Bell-Settle Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Big River At Irondale | 40 cfs | → |
| Big River Near Richwoods | 332 cfs | → |
| Big River Below Desloge | 81 cfs | → |
| Meramec River Near Sullivan | 596 cfs | → |
| East Fork Black River Nr Lesterville | 5 cfs | → |
| Big River At Byrnesville | 368 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bell-Settle Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Bismarch Lake Road St. Francois County
- Council Bluff Lake Trail Washington County
- Enough Boat Launch And Trailhead
- Choctaw Drive St. Francois County
- Meramec State Park Franklin County
- Crawford County
Campgrounds
- Washington State Park
- St. Francois State Park
- Brazil Creek Trailhead
- Hazel Creek Campground
- Hazel Creek
- Berryman
Fishing spots
Track Bell-Settle 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 Bell-Settle Lake Dam
Where does the data for Bell-Settle 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 Bell-Settle Lake Dam.