Breen Lake Dam dam
Breen Lake Dam
Breen Lake Dam, located in Weatherby Lake, Missouri, stands at a height of 25 feet and was completed in 1972 for the primary purpose of recreation. With a storage capacity of 40 acre-feet, the dam holds back Rush Creek to create a serene 3-acre lake for local residents and visitors to enjoy. While the dam is owned privately, it is not regulated or inspected by the state, posing a potential hazard due to its high hazard potential rating.
Despite its age and lack of recent inspections, Breen Lake Dam continues to serve its recreational purpose effectively, offering a peaceful retreat for outdoor enthusiasts in Platte County, Missouri. However, concerns about the structural integrity of the dam remain due to its high hazard potential rating and lack of state regulation and enforcement. The dam's condition is currently listed as "Not Rated," highlighting the need for further assessment and potential risk management measures to ensure the safety of those who frequent the area.
As climate change continues to impact water resources and infrastructure, the importance of monitoring and maintaining dams like Breen Lake Dam becomes increasingly crucial. With its proximity to Rush Creek and limited drainage area, the potential for flooding and other emergencies underscores the need for comprehensive emergency action plans and risk assessments. Collaborative efforts between private owners, state agencies, and the local community may be necessary to address any potential safety concerns and ensure the long-term viability of this recreational water resource.
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 Breen Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Platte River At Sharps Station | 5,350 cfs | → |
| Missouri River At Kansas City | 66,600 cfs | → |
| Little Platte River At Smithville | 17 cfs | → |
| Brush Creek At Ward Parkway In Kansas City | 1 cfs | → |
| Mill C At Johnson Drive | 27 cfs | → |
| Blue River At Stadium Drive In Kc | 170 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Breen Lake Dam.
Track Breen 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 Breen Lake Dam
Where does the data for Breen 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 Breen Lake Dam.