Helmering Farms Dam dam
Helmering Farms Dam
Helmering Farms Dam, located in Crawford County, Missouri, serves as a crucial flood risk reduction structure along the TR-Black Jack Creek. Built in 1952, this privately owned Earth dam stands at a height of 20 feet and has a storage capacity of 86 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 37 acre-feet. The dam also supports multiple purposes including fire protection, stock or small fish pond, irrigation, and recreation, further highlighting its importance in the local community.
Despite its low hazard potential, Helmering Farms Dam has not been rated for its condition assessment, signaling a need for further evaluation. The dam has not been inspected recently, and there is no Emergency Action Plan (EAP) in place. Given its critical role in flood risk reduction and water resource management, it is essential for the owners and authorities to prioritize the safety and maintenance of this structure. Additionally, with no state regulation or enforcement in place, it becomes even more imperative for proactive measures to be taken to ensure the structural integrity of Helmering Farms Dam.
With a rich history dating back to the 1950s, Helmering Farms Dam stands as a testament to the importance of water infrastructure in mitigating flood risks and supporting various community needs. As climate change intensifies and water resources become increasingly strained, the proper maintenance and management of structures like Helmering Farms Dam are essential for safeguarding communities and ecosystems. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, it is crucial to advocate for the sustainable use and protection of these vital assets to ensure a resilient future for all.
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 Helmering Farms Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Meramec River At Cook Station | 39 cfs | → |
| Meramec River Near Steelville | 303 cfs | → |
| Meramec River Near Sullivan | 596 cfs | → |
| Bourbeuse River Near High Gate | 32 cfs | → |
| Little Piney Creek At Newburg | 119 cfs | → |
| Big River At Irondale | 40 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Helmering Farms Dam.
Boat launches
- Crawford County
- Prairie Lake Road Phelps County
- Council Bluff Lake Trail Washington County
- Meramec State Park Franklin County
- Enough Boat Launch And Trailhead
- Highway W Franklin County
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- State Highway 49 Bridge Near Dillard, Missouri To Forest Boundary In Sections 13/24, T38n, R3w
- Northern Boundary Of Fort Leonard Wood To North Section Line Of Sec 31, T36n, R10w
- Missouri State Highway 17 To Fort Leonard Wood (Army Base)
- Confluence With Alley Spring (Branch) To Confluence With Current River (Does Not Include River Segment In Gap Between Parkland Units)
- County Highway O, Laclede, County, Missouri To Ozark Spring
Track Helmering Farms 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 Helmering Farms Dam
Where does the data for Helmering Farms 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 Helmering Farms Dam.