Mcdowell Lake Dam dam
Mcdowell Lake Dam
Mcdowell Lake Dam, located in St. Francois, Missouri, along the TR-BIG RIVER, is a private Earth dam primarily used for recreation. Standing at a height of 25 feet, this dam has a storage capacity of 54 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 4 acres. While the dam is classified as having a low hazard potential, its condition assessment is currently marked as "Not Rated", indicating a need for further evaluation.
Despite not being regulated by the state or having any inspection or enforcement protocols in place, Mcdowell Lake Dam serves as a vital resource for the community of BLACKWELL and neighboring areas. With its tranquil waters and scenic surroundings, the dam provides a peaceful retreat for water resource and climate enthusiasts to enjoy recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and wildlife observation. However, the lack of a comprehensive risk assessment and emergency action plan raises concerns about the dam's long-term safety and maintenance.
As the dam does not fall under the jurisdiction of any federal agency, there is a need for increased local oversight and community involvement to ensure the ongoing management and upkeep of Mcdowell Lake Dam. By addressing the current gaps in inspection, assessment, and emergency preparedness, stakeholders can work together to safeguard this important water resource for future generations of outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers.
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 Mcdowell Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Big River Below Desloge | 118 cfs | → |
| Big River At Irondale | 68 cfs | → |
| Big River Near Richwoods | 410 cfs | → |
| Little St. Francis River At Fredericktown | 6 cfs | → |
| St. Francis River Near Mill Creek | 149 cfs | → |
| East Fork Black River Nr Lesterville | 9 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Mcdowell Lake 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
- St. Joe State Park
- Washington State Park
- Hawn State Park
- Council Bluff - Wild Boar Ridge
- Council Bluff Recreation Area
Fishing spots
Track Mcdowell Lake 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 Mcdowell Lake Dam
Where does the data for Mcdowell Lake 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 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 Mcdowell Lake Dam.