Westfork Lake Dam dam
Westfork Lake Dam
Westfork Lake Dam, located in Morgan County, Missouri, is a privately-owned earth dam completed in 1983 with a primary purpose of recreation. The dam, standing at a height of 37 feet and stretching 780 feet in length, impounds Messer Creek to create West Fork Lake, with a storage capacity of 402 acre-feet and a surface area of 33 acres. Despite its low hazard potential and satisfactory condition assessment, the dam is regulated and inspected by the Missouri Dam and Reservoir Safety Program to ensure its safety and compliance with state regulations.
Situated in the scenic countryside of Syracuse, Westfork Lake Dam offers a peaceful retreat for water resource and climate enthusiasts. The dam's uncontrolled spillway and rock/soil foundation contribute to its unique design, while its moderate risk assessment and maintained emergency action plan ensure the safety of the surrounding community. With a maximum discharge capacity of 55 cubic feet per second and a drainage area of 511 square miles, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources and supporting recreational activities in the region.
Managed by a private entity, Westfork Lake Dam serves as a vital recreation spot for locals and visitors alike, offering opportunities for fishing, boating, and wildlife observation. While the dam's primary purpose remains focused on recreation, its importance in water resource management and climate adaptation cannot be understated. With its impressive structure and regulated operations, Westfork Lake Dam stands as a symbol of responsible stewardship and sustainable development in the face of changing environmental 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 Westfork Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Lamine River Near Otterville | 98 cfs | → |
| Missouri River At Boonville | 45,000 cfs | → |
| Blackwater River At Blue Lick | 177 cfs | → |
| Hinkson Creek At Columbia | 7 cfs | → |
| Osage River Near Bagnell | 13,700 cfs | → |
| Moniteau Creek Near Fayette | 8 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Westfork Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Swinging Bridge Drive Cooper County
- Buffalo Prairie Drive Cooper County
- State Highway 41 Cooper County
- I 70;Us 40 Cooper County
- Cooney Blackwater
- Gravois Mills Acess Boat Ramp
Track Westfork 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 Westfork Lake Dam
Where does the data for Westfork 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 Westfork Lake Dam.