Elm Springs Lake Dam dam
Elm Springs Lake Dam
Elm Springs Lake Dam, located in Carter County, Missouri, was completed in 1955 and serves as a recreational resource for the area. The dam, primarily made of rockfill with a buttress core type, stands at 25 feet tall and has a storage capacity of 241 acre-feet. With a surface area of 18 acres and a drainage area of 4850 acres, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the region.
Although the dam is privately owned and not regulated by the state, it has a low hazard potential and is currently rated as "Not Rated" in terms of condition assessment. With no inspection frequency listed and various emergency preparedness measures not indicated, there are opportunities for further evaluation and risk management to ensure the dam's safety and longevity. Despite these challenges, Elm Springs Lake Dam remains an important feature along Elm Branch-Big Brushy Creek, providing opportunities for recreation and enjoyment for local residents and visitors alike.
In the hands of private owners, Elm Springs Lake Dam continues to stand as a testament to the intersection of water resource management and recreational development. With its historical significance dating back to the 1950s, the dam serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between human intervention and environmental stewardship. As water resource and climate enthusiasts explore the area, they are sure to appreciate the beauty and functionality of Elm Springs Lake Dam, while also considering the importance of ongoing maintenance and risk management to ensure its continued safety and effectiveness in the years to come.
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 Elm Springs Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Black River At Leeper | 377 cfs | → |
| Current River At Van Buren | 1,260 cfs | → |
| Logan Creek At Ellington | 6 cfs | → |
| St. Francis River Near Patterson | 409 cfs | → |
| Black River Near Annapolis | 351 cfs | → |
| Current River At Doniphan | 1,860 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Elm Springs Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Us 60 Carter County
- County Road 60-102 Carter County
- Van Buren
- Carter Co 105 Carter County
- County Road 501 Butler County
- Wayne County
Campgrounds
- Pinewoods Lake Recreation Area
- River Road - Clearwater Lake
- Big Spring - Ozark National Scenic River
- Piedmont - Clearwater Lake
- Big Spring Campgrounds
- Webb Creek - Clearwater Lake
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Markam Spring Recreation Area To Nf Boundary
- The Most Upstream Portion Of Ozark National Scenic Riverways To The Most Downstream Portion Of Ozark National Scenic Riverways
- Forest Boundary At North Section Line Of Sec 4, T33n, R5e To Forest Boundary At South Section Line Of Sec 35, T32n, R5e
- Confluence With Alley Spring (Branch) To Confluence With Current River (Does Not Include River Segment In Gap Between Parkland Units)
- Western Edge Of Ozark National Scenic Riverways To Confluence With Alley Spring (Branch)
Track Elm Springs 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 Elm Springs Lake Dam
Where does the data for Elm Springs 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 Elm Springs Lake Dam.