Brands Lake Dam dam
Brands Lake Dam
Brands Lake Dam, located in St. Marys, Missouri, stands as a significant structure along the TR Little Saline Creek. Built in 1970, this private dam primarily serves the purpose of recreation, providing a storage capacity of 70 acre-feet and covering a surface area of 6 acres. With a height of 35 feet and a length of 630 feet, Brands Lake Dam is a vital component of the local landscape, offering residents and visitors alike a picturesque spot for outdoor activities.
Despite its age, Brands Lake Dam remains in satisfactory condition, as per its last assessment in 2007. The dam is subject to regular inspections by the DAM AND RESERVOIR SAFETY PROG regulatory agency in Missouri, ensuring that it meets safety standards and poses no immediate threat to the surrounding community. Although it carries a high hazard potential due to its location, the risk assessment for Brands Lake Dam is considered moderate, highlighting the importance of ongoing monitoring and management measures to prevent any potential emergencies.
With its scenic setting and recreational opportunities, Brands Lake Dam serves as a vital infrastructure for the local community while also presenting challenges in terms of risk management and safety. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, staying informed about the condition and regulatory oversight of dams like Brands Lake is crucial for ensuring the sustainable use of water resources and the protection of communities downstream.
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 Brands Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Fork Saline Creek Near Perryville | 21 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River At Chester | 247,000 cfs | → |
| Little St. Francis River At Fredericktown | 17 cfs | → |
| Big River Below Desloge | 80 cfs | → |
| St. Francis River Near Mill Creek | 107 cfs | → |
| Big River At Irondale | 44 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Brands Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Choctaw Drive St. Francois County
- Water Street Chester
- Phegley Resort Lane Randolph County
- Bismarch Lake Road St. Francois County
- Randolph County
Campgrounds
- Hawn State Park
- Fort Kaskaskia State Park
- Randolph County State Conservation Area
- St. Joe State Park
- Silver Mines
- Silver Mines Recreation Area
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Forest Boundary At North Section Line Of Sec 4, T33n, R5e To Forest Boundary At South Section Line Of Sec 35, T32n, R5e
- 1/2 Mile Downstream Of Confluence With Kinkaid Creek To Confluence With Mississippi River, Approx 4 Miles South Of Grand Tower, Il
- 1 Mile West Of Alto Pass, Il To 1/2 Mile South Of Confluence With Clear Creek, West Of Trail Of Tears State Forest
Track Brands 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 Brands Lake Dam
Where does the data for Brands 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 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 Brands Lake Dam.