Potter Lake Dam dam
Potter Lake Dam
Potter Lake Dam, located in Lafayette County, Missouri, serves a primary purpose of grade stabilization along the TR-SNI-A-BAR Creek. Completed in 1972, this earth dam stands at a height of 35 feet and spans 600 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 82 acre-feet. With a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating of 3, the dam's condition is currently not rated, but it meets guidelines for emergency action preparedness. Despite being privately owned and not regulated by the state, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources and mitigating flood risks in the area.
The dam features an uncontrolled spillway and is constructed with a stone core on a soil foundation. It has a hydraulic height of 34 feet and a structural height of 36 feet, with a maximum discharge capacity of 502 cubic feet per second. The surrounding area has a surface area of 7 acres and a drainage area of 313.6 square miles. Although the dam has not been inspected recently, its risk management measures are in place to ensure the safety of the community in case of emergencies. With its strategic location and design, Potter Lake Dam is a vital infrastructure for water resource management and climate resilience in the region.
In the event of a potential emergency, it is essential to have updated emergency action plans and contact information. While Potter Lake Dam has not had recent inspections or condition assessments, its moderate risk level indicates the need for proactive risk management measures. As a privately owned structure, the responsibility falls on the owners to ensure the dam's safety and functionality for the surrounding community and environment. Water resource and climate enthusiasts can appreciate the critical role that Potter Lake Dam plays in maintaining the balance of water flow and mitigating flood risks in Lafayette County, Missouri.
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 Potter Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Crooked River Near Richmond | 20 cfs | → |
| Little Blue River Near Lake City | 76 cfs | → |
| East Fork Little Blue River Nr Blue Springs | 10 cfs | → |
| Missouri River At Waverly | 38,600 cfs | → |
| Blue River At Stadium Drive In Kc | 93 cfs | → |
| Missouri River At Kansas City | 39,200 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Potter Lake Dam.
Track Potter 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 Potter Lake Dam
Where does the data for Potter 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 Potter Lake Dam.