South Fork Blackwater River Dam A-20 dam
South Fork Blackwater River Dam A-20
South Fork Blackwater River Dam A-20, located in Kingsville, Missouri, serves as a crucial infrastructure for grade stabilization along the West Branch of the South Fork Blackwater River. Built in 1964 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at a height of 31 feet and spans 665 feet in length, providing a storage capacity of 240 acre-feet for flood control purposes. With a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment score of 3, this dam is considered to be in satisfactory condition, although it has not been rated in terms of its structural integrity.
Despite being classified as a non-regulated structure by the state, South Fork Blackwater River Dam A-20 plays a vital role in managing water resources in Johnson County, Missouri. With a normal storage capacity of 76 acre-feet and a maximum discharge rate of 967 cubic feet per second, this dam helps to mitigate the impact of flooding events in the area. Its uncontrolled spillway, with a width of 85 feet, allows for excess water to safely flow downstream, reducing the risk of overtopping and potential damage to downstream properties.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, it is important to recognize the significance of structures like South Fork Blackwater River Dam A-20 in safeguarding communities and ecosystems from the impacts of extreme weather events. By understanding the design and purpose of such infrastructure, we can appreciate the valuable role they play in promoting water security and resilience in the face of a changing climate.
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 South Fork Blackwater River Dam A-20 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| East Fork Little Blue River Nr Blue Springs | 10 cfs | → |
| Little Blue River Near Lake City | 1,290 cfs | → |
| Big Creek Near Blairstown | 8,830 cfs | → |
| Blue River At Kansas City | 2,810 cfs | → |
| Blue River At Stadium Drive In Kc | 2,840 cfs | → |
| Blue River At Blue Ridge Blvd Ext In Kc | 1,520 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near South Fork Blackwater River Dam A-20.
Boat launches
- Odessa Lake Road Lafayette County
- South Lake Road Cass County
- Lee's Summit
- Cass County
- Northwest 575th Road Johnson County
- Lafayette County
Track South Fork Blackwater River Dam A-20 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 South Fork Blackwater River Dam A-20
Where does the data for South Fork Blackwater River Dam A-20 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 South Fork Blackwater River Dam A-20.