Kennedy Dam dam
Kennedy Dam
Kennedy Dam, located in Hardy Ark, Missouri, serves as a vital resource for fish and wildlife preservation. Built in 1977, this private earth dam stands at a height of 23 feet and spans a length of 1090 feet, with a storage capacity of 143 acre-feet. Its primary purpose is to provide a habitat for fish and wildlife, while also serving functions such as fire protection, irrigation, and recreation. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam has a moderate risk assessment due to its location on TR-Myatt Creek and its potential impact on the surrounding area in the event of a breach.
Managed by the Memphis District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, Kennedy Dam has not been rated for its condition assessment and lacks an Emergency Action Plan. The dam operates with an uncontrolled spillway and has no outlet gates, posing minimal risk to downstream communities. While it does not fall under state jurisdiction for regulation, inspection, or enforcement, its role in supporting the local ecosystem and providing necessary water resources makes it a critical infrastructure for the region. Water resource and climate enthusiasts will find Kennedy Dam to be a fascinating example of sustainable infrastructure that balances ecological conservation with human needs.
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 Kennedy Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mammoth Spring At Mammoth Spring | 428 cfs | → |
| North Fork River Near Tecumseh | 469 cfs | → |
| Bryant Creek Near Tecumseh | 316 cfs | → |
| Spring River At Town Branch Bridge At Hardy | 377 cfs | → |
| Jacks Fork Near Mountain View | 69 cfs | → |
| Eleven Point River Near Bardley | 498 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Kennedy Dam.
Boat launches
- Thomasville River Access
- State Highway 14 Douglas County
- Cane Bluff River Access
- Beach Road Hardy
- Highland Fun Park
Campgrounds
- North Fork Recreation Area
- Patrick Bridge Access - Mdc
- Sycamore Loop Dispersed - Noblett Lake
- Gamaliel - Norfolk Lake
- Bidwell Point - Norfolk Lake
- Woods Point - Norfolk Lake
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Hebron Access Site To Southern Forest Boundary In Sec 33, T24n, R11w
- Western Edge Of Ozark National Scenic Riverways To Confluence With Alley Spring (Branch)
- Confluence With Alley Spring (Branch) To Confluence With Current River (Does Not Include River Segment In Gap Between Parkland Units)
- The Most Upstream Portion Of Ozark National Scenic Riverways To The Most Downstream Portion Of Ozark National Scenic Riverways
Track Kennedy 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 Kennedy Dam
Where does the data for Kennedy 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 Kennedy Dam.