Novak Lake Dam dam
Novak Lake Dam
Novak Lake Dam, located in Gasconade, Missouri, is a privately owned structure primarily designed for fire protection, stock, and small fish pond purposes. Completed in 1983, this earth dam stands at a height of 46 feet and stretches 650 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 55 acre-feet. The dam is regulated by the DAM AND RESERVOIR SAFETY PROGRAM and is subject to state permitting, inspection, and enforcement to ensure its safety and compliance.
Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential, the dam's risk assessment indicates a moderate level of risk (3). The condition assessment is listed as "Not Rated," suggesting a need for further evaluation. Emergency action plans and guidelines for the dam have not been updated or prepared, indicating potential gaps in emergency response readiness. The surrounding area has a drainage area of 16 square miles, with the dam serving as a key component in managing water resources for the region.
Novak Lake Dam's unique design and purpose make it an important feature in the local ecosystem, providing not only water storage but also fire protection and recreational opportunities. As climate change continues to impact water resources, the dam's maintenance and management will be crucial in ensuring the safety and sustainability of the surrounding environment. Enthusiasts of water resources and climate change will find Novak Lake Dam to be a fascinating case study in the intersection of infrastructure, environmental stewardship, and public safety.
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 Novak Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Bourbeuse River Near High Gate | 1,800 cfs | → |
| Gasconade River Near Rich Fountain | 8,060 cfs | → |
| Meramec River Near Steelville | 1,200 cfs | → |
| Meramec River Near Sullivan | 2,500 cfs | → |
| Maries River At Westphalia | 2,880 cfs | → |
| Meramec River At Cook Station | 48 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Novak Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Tea Road Gasconade County
- County Route 809 Osage County
- Prairie Lake Road Phelps County
- Crawford County
- Meramec State Park Franklin County
- Highway W Franklin County
Campgrounds
- Paydown Access - Mdc
- Rollins Ferry Access - Mdc
- Onondaga Cave State Park
- Backpack Camp 3
- Backpack Camp 4
- Backpack Camp 5
Paddle runs
- State Highway 49 Bridge Near Dillard, Missouri To Forest Boundary In Sections 13/24, T38n, R3w
- Northern Boundary Of Fort Leonard Wood To North Section Line Of Sec 31, T36n, R10w
- Missouri State Highway 17 To Fort Leonard Wood (Army Base)
- County Highway O, Laclede, County, Missouri To Ozark Spring
Track Novak 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 Novak Lake Dam
Where does the data for Novak 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 Novak Lake Dam.