West Fork Big Creek Dam B-153 dam
West Fork Big Creek Dam B-153
West Fork Big Creek Dam B-153, also known as Site B-153, is a local government-owned structure located in Bridgeport, Missouri, within Harrison County. Constructed in 1996 by the USDA NRCS, this earth-type dam stands at 33 feet high with a length of 550 feet, serving primarily for flood risk reduction along the TR-Big Creek. With a maximum storage capacity of 86 acre-feet and a normal storage of 22 acre-feet, the dam covers a surface area of 8 acres and drains an area of 95 square miles.
Despite its low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment, West Fork Big Creek Dam B-153 has not been inspected or rated for its condition. It features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 20 feet and does not have any outlet gates or associated structures. The dam is not regulated by the state and has not been subject to inspections or enforcement. While it serves its purpose for flood risk reduction, the lack of recent assessments and emergency action plans raises concern for its long-term reliability in mitigating potential risks associated with extreme weather events and changing climate patterns.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, the West Fork Big Creek Dam B-153 presents an intriguing case study of a locally owned flood control structure with limited state oversight. Its construction and design by the USDA NRCS highlight the importance of proactive risk management and the need for regular inspections to ensure the dam's effectiveness in safeguarding the surrounding community from flooding events. As climate change continues to impact water resources and increase the frequency of extreme weather events, the resilience and maintenance of such critical infrastructure become essential for sustainable water management and disaster preparedness.
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 West Fork Big Creek Dam B-153 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| East Fork Big Creek Near Bethany | 684 cfs | → |
| Grand River Near Gallatin | 28,000 cfs | → |
| Thompson River At Trenton | 13,900 cfs | → |
| Thompson River At Davis City | 8,610 cfs | → |
| Medicine Creek Near Laredo | 1,820 cfs | → |
| Shoal Creek Near Braymer Mo | 551 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near West Fork Big Creek Dam B-153.
Track West Fork Big Creek Dam B-153 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 West Fork Big Creek Dam B-153
Where does the data for West Fork Big Creek Dam B-153 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 West Fork Big Creek Dam B-153.