Pony Express Lake Dam dam
Pony Express Lake Dam
Pony Express Lake Dam, located in DeKalb, Missouri, is a state-owned earth dam completed in 1963 for the primary purpose of recreation. The dam stands at a height of 40 feet and has a length of 1600 feet, creating a reservoir with a normal storage capacity of 2400 acre-feet. Situated on the TR-West Fork Lost Creek, the dam is regulated by the DAM AND RESERVOIR SAFETY PROG, ensuring regular inspections and enforcement of safety measures.
With a hazard potential rated as high and a moderate risk assessment score, Pony Express Lake Dam is considered to be in satisfactory condition as of the last assessment in 2007. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 200 feet and outlet gates in the form of slide (sluice gate). Despite its age, the dam continues to provide essential flood control and recreational opportunities for the surrounding area, with a surface area of 164 acres and a drainage area of 2650 acres.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Pony Express Lake Dam offers a fascinating example of a well-maintained state-owned structure that serves both recreational and safety purposes. With its historical significance and ongoing management by the state regulatory agency, the dam stands as a testament to the importance of sustainable water resource management in Missouri.
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 Pony Express Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little Platte River Near Plattsburg | 36 cfs | → |
| Platte River Near Agency | 24,300 cfs | → |
| Grand River Near Gallatin | 26,800 cfs | → |
| Missouri River At St. Joseph | 62,800 cfs | → |
| Little Platte River At Smithville | 32 cfs | → |
| Platte River At Sharps Station | 13,300 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Pony Express Lake Dam.
Track Pony Express Lake 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 Pony Express Lake Dam
Where does the data for Pony Express Lake 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 Pony Express Lake Dam.