Wappapello Dam dam
Wappapello Dam
Wappapello Dam, also known as Wappapello Lake, is a federal-owned structure located in Wayne County, Missouri. Completed in 1941, the dam serves primarily for flood risk reduction along the St. Francis River. Standing at a height of 109 feet and with a hydraulic height of 103 feet, the earth-type dam spans 2,700 feet and has a storage capacity of 1,134,600 acre-feet.
The high hazard potential of Wappapello Dam is managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), who regularly inspect and monitor the structure to ensure its integrity. Despite the dam's risk level being categorized as moderate (3), USACE implements various risk management measures to protect the public, including updating emergency action plans, conducting emergency exercises, and holding public meetings to discuss dam safety. Additionally, USACE performs routine maintenance and repairs to keep the dam functioning properly in the face of severe weather events and potential issues that may arise.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will find Wappapello Dam to be a fascinating structure that plays a crucial role in mitigating flood risks in the region. With a focus on safety and risk management, the US Army Corps of Engineers works diligently to ensure the integrity of the dam and protect the surrounding communities from potential hazards. Through a combination of monitoring, maintenance, and public engagement, Wappapello Dam stands as a testament to the importance of effective water resource management in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 Wappapello Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| St. Francis River At Wappapello | 279 cfs | → |
| Black River At Poplar Bluff | 669 cfs | → |
| Castor River At Zalma | 143 cfs | → |
| St. Francis River Near Patterson | 375 cfs | → |
| Black River At Leeper | 459 cfs | → |
| Little Black River Below Fairdealing | 75 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Wappapello Dam.
Boat launches
- People's Creek Road 29, Wayne County
- State Highway W Wayne County
- County Road 501 Butler County
- Wayne County
- Mudlick Equestrian And Hike Trail Wayne County
- Us 60 Carter County
Campgrounds
- Sulphur Springs - Lake Wappapello
- Greenville - Lake Wappapello
- Markham Springs Recreation Area
- Sam A Baker State Park
- Pinewoods Lake Recreation Area
- River Road - Clearwater Lake
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Markam Spring Recreation Area To Nf Boundary
- Forest Boundary At North Section Line Of Sec 4, T33n, R5e To Forest Boundary At South Section Line Of Sec 35, T32n, R5e
- The Most Upstream Portion Of Ozark National Scenic Riverways To The Most Downstream Portion Of Ozark National Scenic Riverways
Track Wappapello 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 Wappapello Dam
Where does the data for Wappapello 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 High 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 Wappapello Dam.