Ford Dam dam
Ford Dam
Ford Dam, located in Livonia, Missouri, along the TR-Chariton River, was completed in 1991 and serves as a crucial structure for grade stabilization. This private earth dam, with a height of 30 feet and a length of 275 feet, plays a vital role in managing water resources in the region. With a storage capacity of 44 acre-feet and a drainage area of 38.4 square miles, Ford Dam helps regulate water flow and mitigate flood risks in the area.
Despite its low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment, Ford Dam has not been rated for its condition assessment. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 10 feet and no outlet gates. While it has not undergone recent inspections, its emergency action plan status and risk management measures remain unknown. Ford Dam stands as a testament to the importance of sustainable water resource management and climate resilience in the face of changing environmental conditions.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts continue to monitor the impacts of climate change on water infrastructure, Ford Dam serves as a focal point for understanding the role of dams in maintaining water quality and quantity. With its primary purpose of grade stabilization and its strategic location in Schuyler County, Missouri, Ford Dam highlights the importance of proactive risk management and emergency preparedness in safeguarding communities and ecosystems. As efforts to address climate change intensify, Ford Dam stands as a symbol of the ongoing challenges and opportunities in managing water resources for a sustainable future.
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 Ford Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Chariton River At Livonia | 45 cfs | → |
| Chariton River Near Moulton | 64 cfs | → |
| Fox River At Bloomfield | 7 cfs | → |
| Chariton River Near Rathbun | 29 cfs | → |
| Chariton River At Novinger | 173 cfs | → |
| South Fork Chariton River Near Promise City | 84 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Ford Dam.
⚓ Boat launches
- Us 136 Schuyler County
- Isthmus Place Appanoose County
- Islandview Place Appanoose County
- 200th Avenue Appanoose County
- Lake Showme Drive Scotland County
- Hornet Place Appanoose County
⛺ Campgrounds
- Unionville City Rv Park
- Lake Fisher
- Lake Wapello State Park
- Lake Wapello State Park Campground
- Drakesville City Park
- Mcgowen Rec Area
🛡 More reservoirs
More reservoirs →Track Ford 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 Ford Dam
Where does the data for Ford 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 Ford Dam.