Sun Fish Lake Dam dam
Sun Fish Lake Dam
Sun Fish Lake Dam, located in Pacific, Missouri, serves as a hub for recreational activities in the area. Built in 1965, this private earth dam stands at a height of 34 feet and has a storage capacity of 91 acre-feet. With a surface area of 5 acres and a drainage area of 19 square miles, the dam provides ample opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy water-based activities.
Despite its primary purpose for recreation, Sun Fish Lake Dam is classified as having a high hazard potential. However, its condition assessment is currently listed as "Not Rated," indicating a need for further evaluation to ensure its safety and reliability. The dam is not regulated by the state and does not have a designated inspection frequency, posing potential risks for the surrounding community in the event of a structural failure.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Sun Fish Lake Dam presents an intriguing case study in balancing recreational benefits with potential safety concerns. As a privately owned structure with limited oversight, the dam serves as a reminder of the importance of regular inspections and maintenance to mitigate risks associated with dam failures. Its location in the Kansas City District, with a nearby river or stream leading to Dutch Creek, underscores the interconnected nature of water resources in the region and the need for proactive management to ensure sustainable use for future generations.
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 Sun Fish Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Big River At Byrnesville | 505 cfs | → |
| Meramec River At Pacific | 1,330 cfs | → |
| Meramec River Near Eureka | 1,960 cfs | → |
| Big River Near Richwoods | 380 cfs | → |
| Williams Creek Near Peerless Park | 6 cfs | → |
| Kiefer Creek Near Ballwin | 3 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sun Fish Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Ellis Grove Parkway Jefferson County
- Stierberger Court Union
- Allen Road 204, Fenton
- Allen Road Fenton
- Grand Glaize Pkwy 1084, Valley Park
- Williamson Road Oakville
Campgrounds
- Robertsville State Park
- Washington State Park
- Klondike County Park
- Babler Memorial State Park
- Backpack Camp 8
- Backpack Camp 7
Paddle runs
Track Sun Fish 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 Sun Fish Lake Dam
Where does the data for Sun Fish 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 Sun Fish Lake Dam.