Dorsey Swearingin Dam dam
Dorsey Swearingin Dam
Dorsey Swearingin Dam, located in Scotland County, Missouri, is a privately owned structure completed in 1977 with a primary purpose of serving as a Fish and Wildlife Pond. Standing at a height of 25 feet and a length of 350 feet, this earth dam on the Middle Fabius River provides a storage capacity of 122 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 76 acre-feet. The dam's low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment make it a crucial component for fire protection, stock watering, and grade stabilization in the region.
Managed by the Rock Island District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, Dorsey Swearingin Dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 15 feet and a maximum discharge rate of 36 cubic feet per second. Despite not being regulated or inspected by state agencies, this dam plays a vital role in supporting local ecosystems and wildlife habitats. With its location in a rural area and minimal associated structures, the dam serves as a key resource for water supply and conservation efforts in the region.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate activism will appreciate the significance of Dorsey Swearingin Dam in maintaining environmental balance and supporting diverse aquatic life. As a focal point for fish and wildlife conservation, this dam underscores the importance of sustainable water management practices in mitigating the impacts of climate change and preserving natural ecosystems. With its strategic design and operational efficiency, Dorsey Swearingin Dam stands as a testament to the crucial role of dams in promoting biodiversity and safeguarding 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 Dorsey Swearingin Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Chariton River At Novinger | 1,310 cfs | → |
| Chariton River At Livonia | 45 cfs | → |
| Long Branch Creek Near Atlanta | 0 cfs | → |
| Fox River At Bloomfield | 7 cfs | → |
| Des Moines River At Keosauqua | 9,700 cfs | → |
| Salt River At Hagers Grove | 71 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Dorsey Swearingin Dam.
Boat launches
- Lake Showme Drive Scotland County
- See Road Scotland County
- Us 136 Schuyler County
- Jersey Avenue Van Buren County
Track Dorsey Swearingin 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 Dorsey Swearingin Dam
Where does the data for Dorsey Swearingin 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 Dorsey Swearingin Dam.