Bishop Dam dam
Bishop Dam
Bishop Dam, located in Wesco, Missouri, is a privately owned structure primarily used for recreation. Completed in 1972, this earth dam stands at a height of 25 feet and has a storage capacity of 201 acre-feet. Situated on the Stone Hill Branch river, the dam covers a surface area of 15 acres and serves a drainage area of 260 acres. With its high hazard potential, the condition of Bishop Dam is currently not rated.
Despite not being regulated by the state, Bishop Dam remains a popular spot for water resource and climate enthusiasts to enjoy outdoor activities such as fishing, boating, and wildlife observation. The dam's location in Dent County, Missouri, offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape and a tranquil environment for visitors to explore. While the dam does not have a spillway or outlet gates, its structural integrity and emergency preparedness measures are being monitored closely.
Although Bishop Dam has not been officially assessed for its risk management measures, its importance in providing recreational opportunities and contributing to the local ecosystem cannot be understated. As water resource and climate enthusiasts continue to appreciate the beauty and functionality of this earth dam, efforts to ensure its safety and maintenance will be crucial in preserving its value for future generations.
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 Bishop Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Meramec River At Cook Station | 50 cfs | → |
| Current River Above Akers | 315 cfs | → |
| East Fork Black River Nr Lesterville | 9 cfs | → |
| Meramec River Near Steelville | 381 cfs | → |
| East Fork Black River At Lesterville | 44 cfs | → |
| Jacks Fork At Eminence | 275 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bishop Dam.
Boat launches
- State Highway B Shannon County
- Council Bluff Lake Trail Washington County
- Enough Boat Launch And Trailhead
- Shannon County
Campgrounds
- Little Scotia Dispersed
- Ozark Trail Gunstock Hollow
- Loggers Lake
- Loggers Lake Recreation Area
- Red Bluff
- Jason's Place
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- State Highway 49 Bridge Near Dillard, Missouri To Forest Boundary In Sections 13/24, T38n, R3w
- Confluence With Alley Spring (Branch) To Confluence With Current River (Does Not Include River Segment In Gap Between Parkland Units)
- Missouri State Highway 17 To Fort Leonard Wood (Army Base)
- Western Edge Of Ozark National Scenic Riverways To Confluence With Alley Spring (Branch)
- Northern Boundary Of Fort Leonard Wood To North Section Line Of Sec 31, T36n, R10w
- The Most Upstream Portion Of Ozark National Scenic Riverways To The Most Downstream Portion Of Ozark National Scenic Riverways
Track Bishop 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 Bishop Dam
Where does the data for Bishop 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 Bishop Dam.