Rainbow Lake Dam dam
Rainbow Lake Dam
Rainbow Lake Dam, located in Franklin County, Missouri, was completed in 1954 and serves as a recreational facility for water resource and climate enthusiasts. This private dam, situated on the Pin Oak Creek tributary, has a height of 27 feet and a storage capacity of 116 acre-feet. While the primary purpose of the dam is recreation, its high hazard potential highlights the importance of regular inspections and maintenance to ensure the safety of the surrounding community.
Despite being privately owned and not regulated by the state, Rainbow Lake Dam's condition assessment is currently "Not Rated," indicating a need for further evaluation. The last inspection conducted in 1980 raises concerns about the dam's structural integrity and emergency preparedness. With no Emergency Action Plan (EAP) in place, there is a lack of guidelines and procedures in case of a potential breach or disaster. Moving forward, collaboration with federal agencies and implementation of risk management measures will be crucial to safeguarding the dam and mitigating potential risks to the community and environment.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts continue to appreciate the beauty and benefits of Rainbow Lake Dam, it is imperative to prioritize safety and sustainability in its management and operation. With its historical significance and recreational value, the dam represents a vital part of Franklin County's landscape. By addressing key concerns such as hazard potential, emergency preparedness, and condition assessment, stakeholders can work together to ensure the long-term viability of Rainbow Lake Dam for future generations to enjoy.
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 Rainbow Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Bourbeuse River At Union | 293 cfs | → |
| Meramec River At Pacific | 1,510 cfs | → |
| Big River At Byrnesville | 560 cfs | → |
| Bonhomme Creek Near Ellisville | 1 cfs | → |
| Meramec River Near Eureka | 2,140 cfs | → |
| Kiefer Creek Near Ballwin | 3 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Rainbow Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Stierberger Court Union
- Highway Uu Franklin County
- Downtown Washington
- Buchheit Road 128, Franklin County
- Katy Trail 1800, Saint Charles County
- Highway W Franklin County
Campgrounds
- Robertsville State Park
- Klondike County Park
- Babler Memorial State Park
- Backpack Camp 7
- Backpack Camp 6
- Backpack Camp 5
Paddle runs
Track Rainbow 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 Rainbow Lake Dam
Where does the data for Rainbow 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 Rainbow Lake Dam.