Cochenour Lake Dam dam
Cochenour Lake Dam
Cochenour Lake Dam, located in Granger, Missouri, serves as a crucial infrastructure for debris control along the TR-North Wyaconda River. Built in 1972, this private-owned earth dam stands at a height of 19 feet and has a storage capacity of 106 acre-feet. Its primary purpose is to control debris, but it also supports fire protection, stock maintenance, and serves as a small fish pond and recreational area.
Although the dam is not regulated or inspected by the state, it has a low hazard potential and is currently rated as "Not Rated" for its condition assessment. With a drainage area of 974 square miles, Cochenour Lake Dam plays a vital role in managing water resources in the region. While it does not have a spillway or outlet gates, the dam has been a reliable structure for over 40 years, contributing to the overall environmental and recreational landscape of Clark County, Missouri.
As a water resource and climate enthusiast, the Cochenour Lake Dam presents an interesting case study in private dam ownership and management. Its multi-purpose design and low hazard potential highlight the importance of smaller dams in supporting local ecosystems and recreational activities while also emphasizing the need for regular inspections and maintenance to ensure long-term functionality and safety. The dam's location within the Kansas City District and its association with the TR-North Wyaconda River offer a glimpse into the intricate network of water infrastructure across the state of 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 Cochenour Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines River At Keosauqua | 7,750 cfs | → |
| Fox River At Wayland | 55 cfs | → |
| Des Moines River At St. Francisville | 7,270 cfs | → |
| Fox River At Bloomfield | 7 cfs | → |
| Cedar Creek Near Oakland Mills | 67 cfs | → |
| Wyaconda River Above Canton | 27 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Cochenour Lake Dam.
⚓ Boat launches
- See Road Scotland County
- Jersey Avenue Van Buren County
- Lake Showme Drive Scotland County
- Van Buren County
- 130th Street Lewis County
Track Cochenour 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 Cochenour Lake Dam
Where does the data for Cochenour 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 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 Cochenour Lake Dam.