Hough Park Dam dam
Hough Park Dam
Hough Park Dam, located in Jefferson City, Missouri, is a vital structure managed by the local government for recreation purposes. Built in 1965, this earth dam stands at a height of 47 feet with a length of 555 feet, creating a storage capacity of 183 acre-feet on the TR Moreau River. The dam also serves as a flood control measure with a high hazard potential, but is currently in satisfactory condition following a 2009 assessment.
With a drainage area of 90 square miles, Hough Park Dam plays a critical role in managing water resources in Cole County. The dam's spillway type is uncontrolled, with a width of 28 feet to manage a maximum discharge of 264 cubic feet per second. Despite its age, the dam undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity and safety in compliance with state regulations, including permitting and enforcement by the Dam and Reservoir Safety Program.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Hough Park Dam offers a fascinating insight into the intersection of infrastructure, environmental stewardship, and public safety. Its location on the TR Moreau River provides both recreational opportunities and essential flood protection for the surrounding area. As a key feature in the local water management system, the dam's history, design, and ongoing maintenance highlight the importance of sustainable water resource management in the face of changing climate patterns and increasing demands on our natural resources.
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 Hough Park Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Moreau River Near Jefferson City | 6,210 cfs | → |
| Missouri River At Jefferson City | 102,000 cfs | → |
| Osage River Below St. Thomas | 37,200 cfs | → |
| Maries River At Westphalia | 363 cfs | → |
| Gasconade River Near Rich Fountain | 1,710 cfs | → |
| Hinkson Creek At Columbia | 195 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Hough Park Dam.
Boat launches
- Jefferson City
- Callaway County
- Old Ferry Road 10801, Cole County
- Us 50;Us 63 Osage County
- Osage County
- Scheuler Ferry Road West 698, Miller County
Campgrounds
- Binder Park
- Pine Ridge Recreation Area
- Pine Ridge Campground
- Pine Ridge
- Dry Fork Recreation Area
- Dry Fork
Track Hough Park 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 Hough Park Dam
Where does the data for Hough Park 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 Hough Park Dam.