Howell Mine Dam dam
Howell Mine Dam
Howell Mine Dam, located in Shirley, Missouri, is a private earth dam completed in 1954 primarily for recreational purposes. Standing at a height of 58 feet and stretching 1000 feet in length, this dam has a storage capacity of 1460 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 71 acres. The dam is situated on the Ishmael Branch of Hazel Creek and falls under the regulatory oversight of the Dam and Reservoir Safety Program in Missouri.
Despite being classified as having a high hazard potential, Howell Mine Dam has been assessed as satisfactory in condition as of November 2015, with inspections conducted every three years. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 30 feet and has a maximum discharge capacity of 5800 cubic feet per second. While the dam is considered to have a moderate risk level, no specific risk management measures are highlighted in the available data.
Overall, Howell Mine Dam presents an interesting case study for water resource and climate enthusiasts due to its historical significance, recreational purpose, and regulatory oversight. With its unique design and location, this dam serves as a valuable asset in the management of water resources in the Washington County area of Missouri.
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 Howell Mine Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Big River At Irondale | 40 cfs | → |
| East Fork Black River Nr Lesterville | 5 cfs | → |
| Meramec River Near Sullivan | 596 cfs | → |
| Big River Below Desloge | 81 cfs | → |
| Meramec River Near Steelville | 303 cfs | → |
| Big River Near Richwoods | 332 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Howell Mine Dam.
Boat launches
- Council Bluff Lake Trail Washington County
- Enough Boat Launch And Trailhead
- Bismarch Lake Road St. Francois County
- Crawford County
- Meramec State Park Franklin County
- Highway W Franklin County
Campgrounds
- Hazel Creek Campground
- Hazel Creek
- Council Bluff - Wild Boar Ridge
- Council Bluff Recreation Area
- Berryman Campground
- Berryman
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- State Highway 49 Bridge Near Dillard, Missouri To Forest Boundary In Sections 13/24, T38n, R3w
- Forest Boundary At North Section Line Of Sec 4, T33n, R5e To Forest Boundary At South Section Line Of Sec 35, T32n, R5e
- Confluence With Alley Spring (Branch) To Confluence With Current River (Does Not Include River Segment In Gap Between Parkland Units)
Track Howell Mine 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 Howell Mine Dam
Where does the data for Howell Mine 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 Howell Mine Dam.