Whetstone Creek Big Lake Dam dam
Whetstone Creek Big Lake Dam
Whetstone Creek Big Lake Dam, located in Callaway, Missouri, is a state-regulated structure designed by Ronald Miller in 1956 for the primary purpose of recreation. The dam, standing at a height of 47 feet and stretching 500 feet in length, serves as a vital component of the Whetstone Creek Wildfire Area, offering a serene oasis for outdoor enthusiasts. With a normal storage capacity of 435 acre-feet and a maximum discharge capability of 783 cubic feet per second, the dam provides essential flood control measures for the surrounding area.
Despite its satisfactory condition assessment and high hazard potential, Whetstone Creek Big Lake Dam undergoes regular inspections and is maintained by the Dam and Reservoir Safety Program to ensure the safety of the community. The dam's risk assessment categorizes it as moderate, with emergency action plans in place to mitigate any potential threats. Blaine Luetkemeyer, the local Congressional representative, oversees the dam's operations within the St. Louis District, emphasizing the importance of water resource management and climate resilience in the region. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Whetstone Creek Big Lake Dam stands as a significant landmark that highlights the intersection of recreation, infrastructure, and environmental stewardship 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 Whetstone Creek Big Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri River At Hermann | 133,000 cfs | → |
| South Fork Salt River Above Santa Fe | 21 cfs | → |
| Long Branch Near Santa Fe | 17 cfs | → |
| Lick Creek At Perry | 4 cfs | → |
| Hinkson Creek At Columbia | 195 cfs | → |
| Missouri River At Jefferson City | 102,000 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Whetstone Creek Big Lake Dam.
Track Whetstone Creek Big 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 Whetstone Creek Big Lake Dam
Where does the data for Whetstone Creek Big 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 Whetstone Creek Big Lake Dam.