Freebird Dam dam
Freebird Dam
Freebird Dam, also known as Freebird Lake Dam, is a private earth dam located in Wright, Missouri. Completed in 1999, this 40-foot high structure serves multiple purposes, including flood control and water storage for the surrounding area. With a normal storage capacity of 242 acre-feet and a maximum storage of 365 acre-feet, Freebird Dam plays a critical role in managing water resources in the region.
Operated by a private entity, Freebird Dam is regulated by the DAM AND RESERVOIR SAFETY PROG in Missouri. The dam is situated on the Sanders and East Whetstone rivers, with a drainage area of 311 square miles. Despite its high hazard potential, the dam's condition is deemed satisfactory as of the last inspection in 2015. The structure is equipped with outlet gates, but details about the spillway type and width are not specified in the data.
The proximity of Freebird Dam to residential areas underscores the importance of its regulatory oversight and maintenance. With its strategic location and significant storage capacity, the dam serves as a vital resource for water management in the region. Climate and water resource enthusiasts will appreciate the role that Freebird Dam plays in safeguarding against flooding and ensuring a stable water supply for the community.
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 Freebird Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Roubidoux Creek Above Ft. Leonard Wood | 32 cfs | → |
| Jacks Fork Near Mountain View | 69 cfs | → |
| Bryant Creek Near Tecumseh | 316 cfs | → |
| North Fork River Near Tecumseh | 475 cfs | → |
| Big Piney River Near Big Piney | 268 cfs | → |
| Beaver Creek At Bradleyville | 88 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Freebird Dam.
Boat launches
- State Highway 17 Texas County
- State Highway 14 Douglas County
- Lake Drive Texas County
- Mason Road Texas County
Campgrounds
- Sycamore Loop Dispersed - Noblett Lake
- Rippee Conserrvation Area - Mdc
- North Fork Recreation Area
- Big Piney Trail Primitive
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)
- Missouri State Highway 17 To Fort Leonard Wood (Army Base)
- Confluence With Alley Spring (Branch) To Confluence With Current River (Does Not Include River Segment In Gap Between Parkland Units)
- Northern Boundary Of Fort Leonard Wood To North Section Line Of Sec 31, T36n, R10w
- County Highway O, Laclede, County, Missouri To Ozark Spring
Track Freebird 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 Freebird Dam
Where does the data for Freebird 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 Freebird Dam.