Ruth Brill Dam dam
Ruth Brill Dam
Ruth Brill Dam, located in Howard County, Missouri, stands as a testament to the collaborative efforts of the USDA NRCS in its design and construction in the year 2000. This privately owned Earth dam serves a primary purpose that goes beyond traditional water resource management, with a low hazard potential and a very high risk assessment indicating its critical importance in the region. The dam boasts a height of 28 feet and a hydraulic height of 21 feet, holding a maximum storage capacity of 29 acre-feet.
Situated on the TR-UNNAMED river or stream, Ruth Brill Dam spans 325 feet in length, with a controlled spillway width of 10 feet. Despite its relatively small surface area of 1 acre, the dam plays a vital role in managing the drainage area of 70.4 square miles and can discharge up to 12.95 cubic feet per second during peak flow events. With its stone core and rock-soil foundations, the dam has not undergone any modifications since its completion, and its condition remains unrated as of the last inspection in 2000.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Ruth Brill Dam presents a unique case study in private dam ownership and management. While it may not fall under state regulation or inspection, the dam's critical role in flood control and water storage cannot be understated. With its strategic location in Rochport, Missouri, the dam serves as a symbol of sustainable water resource management and the importance of private-public partnerships in safeguarding our natural ecosystems in the face of an ever-changing climate.
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 Brill Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Moniteau Creek Near Fayette | 336 cfs | → |
| Missouri River At Boonville | 82,100 cfs | → |
| Hinkson Creek At Columbia | 289 cfs | → |
| Missouri River At Glasgow | 68,400 cfs | → |
| East Fork Little Chariton R. Nr Huntsville | 7 cfs | → |
| Elk Fork Salt River Near Madison | 22 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Ruth Brill Dam.
Boat launches
- Boone County
- River Walkway Lupus
- State Highway 41 Cooper County
- Glasgow
- State Highway Kk Chariton County
- I 70;Us 40 Cooper County
Track Ruth Brill 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 Brill Dam
Where does the data for Ruth Brill 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 Brill Dam.