Lac Carmel Dam dam
Lac Carmel Dam
Located in St. Francois, Missouri, Lac Carmel Dam is a private earth dam completed in 1969 with a primary purpose of recreation. Standing at a height of 65 feet and stretching 1200 feet in length, the dam holds a maximum storage capacity of 1500 acre-feet. The reservoir created by the dam covers an area of 50 acres and is fed by a tributary to Three Hill Creek.
Managed by the Dam and Reservoir Safety Program in Missouri, Lac Carmel Dam has a high hazard potential but is currently assessed to be in satisfactory condition. The dam is subject to regular state inspections, with the last inspection conducted in November 2017. While the dam meets regulatory guidelines, there are moderate risks associated with its operation, highlighting the importance of ongoing risk management measures.
Despite its potential hazards, Lac Carmel Dam remains a popular recreational spot in the area, offering opportunities for boating, fishing, and other outdoor activities. With its serene surroundings and ample storage capacity, the dam serves as both a valuable water resource and a scenic destination for water resource and climate enthusiasts to explore and enjoy.
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 Lac Carmel Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Big River At Irondale | 68 cfs | → |
| Big River Below Desloge | 118 cfs | → |
| Big River Near Richwoods | 410 cfs | → |
| East Fork Black River Nr Lesterville | 9 cfs | → |
| Meramec River Near Sullivan | 771 cfs | → |
| St. Francis River Near Mill Creek | 149 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lac Carmel Dam.
Boat launches
- Bismarch Lake Road St. Francois County
- Choctaw Drive St. Francois County
- Council Bluff Lake Trail Washington County
- Enough Boat Launch And Trailhead
Campgrounds
- St. Francois State Park
- St. Joe State Park
- Washington State Park
- Hazel Creek Campground
- Council Bluff - Wild Boar Ridge
- Hazel Creek
Fishing spots
Track Lac Carmel 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 Lac Carmel Dam
Where does the data for Lac Carmel 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 Lac Carmel Dam.