Emerald Lake Dam dam
Emerald Lake Dam
Emerald Lake Dam, located in Sullivan, Missouri, is a privately owned structure primarily used for recreation purposes. Built in 1982, this earth dam stands at a height of 46 feet and spans a length of 590 feet, with a storage capacity of 405 acre-feet. The dam is situated on TR Harris Branch, within the jurisdiction of the state regulatory agency DAM AND RESERVOIR SAFETY PROG, ensuring regular inspections and enforcement of safety measures.
Despite its satisfactory condition assessment in 2007, Emerald Lake Dam has a high hazard potential, indicating the need for continued monitoring and risk management. With a moderate risk assessment rating, it is crucial for emergency preparedness and mitigation measures to be in place. Although the dam features an uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates, its location and design make it a key structure for water resource management in the region, serving as a vital component for flood control and recreational activities.
Overall, Emerald Lake Dam offers a picturesque setting for water resource and climate enthusiasts to appreciate the beauty of nature while recognizing the importance of maintaining and safeguarding such critical infrastructure. The dam's role in providing storage capacity, regulating discharge, and ensuring public safety underscores the significance of responsible stewardship in preserving our water resources 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 Emerald Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Meramec River Near Sullivan | 847 cfs | → |
| Meramec River Near Steelville | 410 cfs | → |
| Big River Near Richwoods | 460 cfs | → |
| Bourbeuse River At Union | 341 cfs | → |
| Meramec River At Cook Station | 53 cfs | → |
| Bourbeuse River Near High Gate | 21 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Emerald Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Meramec State Park Franklin County
- Crawford County
- Highway W Franklin County
- Tea Road Gasconade County
- Highway Uu Franklin County
- Stierberger Court Union
Campgrounds
- Meramec State Park
- Backpack Camp 2
- Backpack Camp 1
- Brazil Creek Trailhead
- Backpack Camp 8
- Onondaga Cave State Park
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
Track Emerald 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 Emerald Lake Dam
Where does the data for Emerald 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 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 Emerald Lake Dam.