Little Ponderosa Lake(Too Small) Dam
Little Ponderosa Lake(Too Small)
Little Ponderosa Lake(Too Small) is a privately owned recreational lake located in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Built in 1955, this small Earth dam stands at a height of 22 feet, providing a storage capacity of 59 acre-feet and covering a surface area of 5 acres. Despite its modest size, the lake offers a tranquil escape for water resource and climate enthusiasts seeking a peaceful retreat in nature.
While the dam has a low hazard potential and is currently in a "Not Rated" condition, it has not been inspected since 1981. The lack of recent inspections raises concerns about the overall safety and maintenance of the structure, highlighting the importance of regular assessments and maintenance to ensure the continued integrity of the dam. With a drainage area of 60 acres and a primary purpose of recreation, the Little Ponderosa Lake serves as a valuable water resource for the local community.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts explore the beauty of Little Ponderosa Lake(Too Small), they are reminded of the importance of sustainable water management practices and regular dam inspections to ensure the safety and longevity of these vital structures. With its serene surroundings and recreational opportunities, this small lake serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between human enjoyment and environmental stewardship in safeguarding our water resources for future generations.
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 Little Ponderosa Lake(Too Small) -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi River At Thebes | 266,000 cfs | → |
| Castor River At Zalma | 243 cfs | → |
| Big Muddy River At Rte 127 At Murphysboro | 1,520 cfs | → |
| South Fork Saline Creek Near Perryville | 44 cfs | → |
| Little River Ditch No. 1 Near Morehouse | 801 cfs | → |
| Cache River At Forman | 826 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Little Ponderosa Lake(Too Small).
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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More reservoirs
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About Little Ponderosa Lake(Too Small)
Where does the data for Little Ponderosa Lake(Too Small) 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 below 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.
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.