Smith Lake dam
Smith Lake
Smith Lake, located in Ripley, Missouri, is a privately owned reservoir primarily used for recreation purposes. Constructed in 1963, this Earth dam stands at 15 feet high and has a storage capacity of 201 acre-feet. With a surface area of 25 acres and a drainage area of 44 square miles, Smith Lake offers a tranquil setting for water resource and climate enthusiasts to enjoy the beauty of nature.
Despite its low hazard potential and not being regulated by the state, Smith Lake provides a safe and relaxing environment for visitors. The dam, made of Buttress core types, has not been rated for condition assessment, but its emergency action plan status is unknown. While the spillway width is listed as 0, the recreational opportunities and serene atmosphere make Smith Lake an ideal destination for outdoor activities such as fishing, boating, and birdwatching.
With its picturesque location surrounded by TR Harris Creek offstream, Smith Lake offers a peaceful retreat for those looking to connect with nature. While lacking detailed inspection and assessment information, the recreational opportunities and low hazard potential make it a desirable destination for water enthusiasts and climate advocates seeking a serene escape in the heart of Missouri's beautiful landscape.
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 Smith Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Current River At Doniphan | 1,960 cfs | → |
| Little Black River Below Fairdealing | 84 cfs | → |
| Black River Near Corning | 794 cfs | → |
| Black River At Poplar Bluff | 598 cfs | → |
| Black River At Pocahontas | 3,240 cfs | → |
| Elevenpoint River Near Ravenden Springs | 607 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Smith Lake.
Boat launches
- Clay County Road 179 Corning
- Us 60 Carter County
- East Walnut Street Oregon County
- Highway 142 River Access
- Riverton East River Access
- Us 160 33188, Oregon County
Campgrounds
- Float Camp
- Float Camp Recreation Area
- Deer Leap Recreation Area
- Deer Leap
- Fourche Lake Recreation Area
- Gooseneck
Fishing spots
- Beaver Lake Recreation Area
- Lake Ashbaugh
- Eleven Point River
- Crowley's Ridge State Park
- Lake Frierson
- June Lake
Track Smith Lake 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 Smith Lake
Where does the data for Smith Lake 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 Low 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 Smith Lake.