Ashley Branch Dam dam
Ashley Branch Dam
Ashley Branch Dam, located in Bourbon, Missouri, stands as a vital structure for water resource management and recreational activities. Built in 1986, this earth dam spans a length of 1070 feet and reaches a height of 58 feet. It primarily serves the purpose of recreation, offering a surface area of 105 acres and a maximum storage capacity of 1970 acre-feet. The dam regulates the flow of Ashley Branch Creek, with a drainage area of 4400 acres and a maximum discharge capacity of 20817 cubic feet per second.
Maintained by a private entity, Ashley Branch Dam is subject to state regulation and oversight by the Dam and Reservoir Safety Program. Despite its high hazard potential, the dam is deemed to be in satisfactory condition according to a 2007 assessment. Regular inspections are conducted every three years, with the last inspection taking place in July 2016. The dam's emergency action plan is up-to-date, although its risk assessment indicates a moderate level of risk.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate will find Ashley Branch Dam to be a fascinating structure that not only plays a crucial role in water management but also provides opportunities for recreational activities in the picturesque surroundings of Washington County, Missouri. The dam's history, design features, and regulatory framework offer valuable insights into the intersection of infrastructure development, environmental stewardship, and public safety in the realm of water resource management.
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 Ashley Branch Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Meramec River Near Sullivan | 574 cfs | → |
| Meramec River Near Steelville | 299 cfs | → |
| Big River Near Richwoods | 346 cfs | → |
| Bourbeuse River At Union | 353 cfs | → |
| Meramec River At Cook Station | 41 cfs | → |
| Big River At Irondale | 44 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Ashley Branch Dam.
Boat launches
- Crawford County
- Meramec State Park Franklin County
- Highway W Franklin County
- Tea Road Gasconade County
- Highway Uu Franklin County
- Council Bluff Lake Trail Washington County
Campgrounds
- Brazil Creek Trailhead
- Onondaga Cave State Park
- Meramec State Park
- Backpack Camp 2
- Backpack Camp 1
- Backpack Camp 8
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
Track Ashley Branch 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 Ashley Branch Dam
Where does the data for Ashley Branch 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 Ashley Branch Dam.