Betty Francis dam
Betty Francis
Betty Francis is a privately-owned earth dam located in Fredricktown, Missouri, along the TR-Piney Creek. Constructed in 1999 by the USDA NRCS, this dam stands at a height of 25 feet and spans 340 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 68 acre-feet. The dam serves multiple purposes, with a primary focus on flood control and water resource management in the area.
With a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating, Betty Francis plays a crucial role in mitigating potential flooding and managing water flow in the region. Despite not being state-regulated or inspected, the dam remains in good condition, with a structural height of 29 feet and a hydraulic height of 24 feet. Its uncontrolled spillway and lack of outlet gates indicate a simple yet effective design that has proven to be reliable since its completion.
Located within the St. Louis District and surrounded by a drainage area of 275.2 square miles, Betty Francis stands as a testament to the importance of sustainable water resource management. Its presence contributes to the overall resilience of the local ecosystem and highlights the collaborative efforts between private owners and federal agencies in safeguarding communities against potential water-related risks.
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 Betty Francis -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| St. Francis River Near Mill Creek | 96 cfs | → |
| Little St. Francis River At Fredericktown | 3 cfs | → |
| St. Francis River Near Saco | 84 cfs | → |
| Big River Below Desloge | 81 cfs | → |
| Big River At Irondale | 40 cfs | → |
| East Fork Black River Nr Lesterville | 5 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Betty Francis.
Boat launches
- Ozark Trail - Marble Creek Section Iron County
- Bismarch Lake Road St. Francois County
- Mudlick Equestrian And Hike Trail Wayne County
- Choctaw Drive St. Francois County
- Enough Boat Launch And Trailhead
- Council Bluff Lake Trail Washington County
Campgrounds
- Silver Mines
- Silver Mines Recreation Area
- Marble Creek Recreation Area
- Marble Creek Rec Area
- St. Joe State Park
- Hawn State Park
Fishing spots
- Crane Lake Recreation Area
- Howell Lake
- Parole Lake
- Timberline Lake
- Huzzah Ponds
- Beaver Lake Recreation Area
Paddle runs
- Forest Boundary At North Section Line Of Sec 4, T33n, R5e To Forest Boundary At South Section Line Of Sec 35, T32n, R5e
- Markam Spring Recreation Area To Nf Boundary
- The Most Upstream Portion Of Ozark National Scenic Riverways To The Most Downstream Portion Of Ozark National Scenic Riverways
- State Highway 49 Bridge Near Dillard, Missouri To Forest Boundary In Sections 13/24, T38n, R3w
- 1/2 Mile Downstream Of Confluence With Kinkaid Creek To Confluence With Mississippi River, Approx 4 Miles South Of Grand Tower, Il
Track Betty Francis 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 Betty Francis
Where does the data for Betty Francis 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 Betty Francis.