Ruth Shirley Dam dam
Ruth Shirley Dam
Ruth Shirley Dam, located in Carrollton, Missouri, was completed in 1994 and serves primarily for fire protection, stock, and small fish pond purposes. This private earth dam stands at a height of 25.6 feet with a hydraulic height of 17 feet and a structural height of 28 feet. With a storage capacity of 29 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 190 cubic feet per second, the dam overlooks the Bee Branch river.
Although Ruth Shirley Dam is classified with a low hazard potential, it still poses a moderate risk, according to a risk assessment rating of 3. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam has not been rated for its condition assessment, and no emergency action plan (EAP) has been prepared or last revised. With a spillway width of 20 feet and no outlet gates, the dam measures 416 feet in length and covers a surface area of 1 acre.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in Ruth Shirley Dam may find its unique design and purpose intriguing, as it caters to both practical needs, such as fire protection, and recreational interests, like stocking fish. The dam's location in Carrollton, Missouri, within the Rock Island District, adds to its appeal for those interested in exploring different water management structures and their impact on the local environment. Given its moderate risk rating and lack of certain safety measures, there is potential for further research and assessment to ensure the long-term sustainability and safety of Ruth Shirley Dam.
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 Ruth Shirley Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Wakenda Creek At Carrollton | 25 cfs | → |
| Shoal Creek Near Braymer Mo | 35 cfs | → |
| Grand River At Chillicothe | 361 cfs | → |
| Missouri River At Waverly | 38,600 cfs | → |
| Crooked River Near Richmond | 20 cfs | → |
| Grand River Near Sumner | 923 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Ruth Shirley Dam.
Boat launches
- State Highway M Bosworth
- Crown Drive Linn County
- Lexington
- Main Street 442, Miami
- Green Hills Trail Livingston County
- Raum Road Ray County
Track Ruth Shirley 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 Ruth Shirley Dam
Where does the data for Ruth Shirley 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 Ruth Shirley Dam.