Lake Primrose Dam dam
Lake Primrose Dam
Lake Primrose Dam, nestled in the picturesque surroundings of St. Francois, Missouri, is a private-owned recreational structure that stands as a vital water resource in the region. Completed in 1971, this Earth dam with a Buttress core type boasts a height of 53 feet and a length of 700 feet, creating a reservoir with a storage capacity of 608 acre-feet. With a surface area of 30 acres and a drainage area of 545 square miles, the dam serves as a popular spot for outdoor enthusiasts seeking leisure activities along the Primrose Creek.
Managed by the DAM AND RESERVOIR SAFETY PROG of Missouri, Lake Primrose Dam has been deemed to have a high hazard potential but maintains a satisfactory condition assessment. The dam's spillway, with a width of 10 feet, is of the uncontrolled type, allowing for the controlled release of excess water to prevent flooding downstream. Regular inspections are conducted, with the last assessment taking place in July 2017, ensuring the safety and stability of the dam for the surrounding community.
While the risk assessment for Lake Primrose Dam is rated as moderate, the dam continues to provide essential recreational opportunities, water storage, and flood control benefits to the region. With its scenic beauty and functional design, the dam stands as a testament to the importance of water resource management and climate resilience in maintaining the ecological balance of the area.
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 Lake Primrose Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Big River Below Desloge | 80 cfs | → |
| Big River At Irondale | 44 cfs | → |
| Big River Near Richwoods | 346 cfs | → |
| Big River At Byrnesville | 361 cfs | → |
| Meramec River Near Sullivan | 574 cfs | → |
| Little St. Francis River At Fredericktown | 17 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Primrose Dam.
Boat launches
- Choctaw Drive St. Francois County
- Bismarch Lake Road St. Francois County
- Council Bluff Lake Trail Washington County
- Enough Boat Launch And Trailhead
Campgrounds
- St. Francois State Park
- Washington State Park
- St. Joe State Park
- Hawn State Park
- Brazil Creek Trailhead
- Hazel Creek Campground
Fishing spots
Track Lake Primrose 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 Lake Primrose Dam
Where does the data for Lake Primrose 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 Lake Primrose Dam.