Howell Dam dam
Howell Dam
Howell Dam, located in St. Charles, Missouri, along the Osage Creek, was completed in 1978 for the primary purpose of recreation. This privately owned dam, with a height of 40 feet and a hydraulic height of 35.5 feet, has a storage capacity of 151 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 8.25 acres. The dam is classified as an earth dam with a core made of stone, serving as a vital water resource for the surrounding area.
Managed by the DAM AND RESERVOIR SAFETY PROG, the dam is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced by the state of Missouri. The last inspection in March 2018 deemed the dam to be in satisfactory condition, with a high hazard potential. Despite its moderate risk assessment, the dam is equipped with uncontrolled spillways and lacks outlet gates. The structure also meets emergency action plan guidelines, ensuring preparedness for any potential risks or emergencies.
With its strategic location and significant storage capacity, Howell Dam plays a crucial role in water resource management and climate resilience in the region. The dam provides a safe and enjoyable recreation spot while also serving as a protective measure against potential flood risks. Its structural integrity and adherence to safety regulations highlight its importance in ensuring water security for the community it serves.
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 Howell Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Bonhomme Creek Near Ellisville | 3 cfs | → |
| Dardenne Creek At Ofallon | 79 cfs | → |
| Bonhomme Creek Near Clarkson Valley | 9 cfs | → |
| Caulks Creek At Chesterfield | 44 cfs | → |
| Meramec River At Pacific | 2,000 cfs | → |
| Dardenne Creek At Old Town St. Peters | 142 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Howell Dam.
Boat launches
- Katy Trail 1800, Saint Charles County
- Brittany Place 1, Lake Saint Louis
- Windjammer Point 200, Lake Saint Louis
- Scott A Lewis Lane Cottleville
- Downtown Washington
- Lake View Loop Trail Maryland Heights
Campgrounds
- Klondike County Park
- Babler Memorial State Park
- Robertsville State Park
- St. Peters 370 Lakeside Park
- Camp Trinity
- Pere Marquette State Park
Paddle runs
Track Howell 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 Howell Dam
Where does the data for Howell 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 Howell Dam.