Merrill Lake Dam dam
Merrill Lake Dam
Merrill Lake Dam, located in Carter, Missouri, is a state-owned earth dam primarily used for recreation purposes. Standing at a height of 27 feet, the dam was completed in 1957 and has a storage capacity of 390 acre-feet. Situated on Little Brushy Creek, the dam serves as a picturesque backdrop for outdoor enthusiasts seeking relaxation and water-based activities in the area.
With a low hazard potential and a condition assessment of "Not Rated," Merrill Lake Dam is a safe and reliable structure for visitors to enjoy. Although not regulated by the state and lacking inspection and enforcement measures, the dam continues to provide a tranquil spot for fishing, boating, and other recreational activities. While lacking specific information on spillways and outlet gates, the dam's design and construction make it a stable and secure feature in the landscape.
Despite its age and limited regulatory oversight, Merrill Lake Dam remains a popular destination for those seeking to connect with nature and enjoy the beauty of the surrounding area. As a key element in the local ecosystem and a hub for outdoor recreation, the dam stands as a testament to the importance of water resources in sustaining both human enjoyment and environmental health.
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 Merrill Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Current River At Van Buren | 1,900 cfs | → |
| Black River At Leeper | 358 cfs | → |
| Logan Creek At Ellington | 5 cfs | → |
| Black River Near Annapolis | 339 cfs | → |
| St. Francis River Near Patterson | 566 cfs | → |
| Jacks Fork At Eminence | 702 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Merrill Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Carter Co 105 Carter County
- Van Buren
- County Road 60-102 Carter County
- Us 60 Carter County
- Shannon County
- Wayne County
Campgrounds
- Big Spring - Ozark National Scenic River
- Watercress
- Watercress Recreation Area
- Van Buren
- Big Spring Campgrounds
- Webb Creek - Clearwater Lake
Fishing spots
- Beaver Lake Recreation Area
- Crane Lake Recreation Area
- Huzzah Ponds
- Howell Lake
- Lake Ashbaugh
- Parole Lake
Paddle runs
- The Most Upstream Portion Of Ozark National Scenic Riverways To The Most Downstream Portion Of Ozark National Scenic Riverways
- Markam Spring Recreation Area To Nf Boundary
- Confluence With Alley Spring (Branch) To Confluence With Current River (Does Not Include River Segment In Gap Between Parkland Units)
- Forest Boundary At North Section Line Of Sec 4, T33n, R5e To Forest Boundary At South Section Line Of Sec 35, T32n, R5e
- Western Edge Of Ozark National Scenic Riverways To Confluence With Alley Spring (Branch)
Track Merrill 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 Merrill Lake Dam
Where does the data for Merrill 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 Merrill Lake Dam.