Little Lake Dam dam
Little Lake Dam
Little Lake Dam in Missouri, completed in 1961, stands as a recreational oasis in the heart of Jefferson County. The privately owned earth dam boasts a height of 32 feet and a storage capacity of 68 acre-feet, making it an essential water resource for the surrounding area. Situated along the TR to Joachim Creek, the dam offers not only recreational opportunities but also serves as a critical component of the local ecosystem.
Despite its high hazard potential, Little Lake Dam has not been rated for its condition assessment as of the last inspection in 1981. With its primary purpose being recreation, the dam provides a serene environment for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy fishing, boating, and wildlife observation. The dam's location in DeSoto, Missouri, adds to its allure as a popular destination for water resource and climate enthusiasts looking to explore the beauty of the region.
As a well-known landmark in the Kansas City District, Little Lake Dam holds historical significance and continues to play a vital role in the local community. While its condition assessment remains unrated, the dam's enduring presence underscores the importance of water resource management and the need for regular inspections and maintenance to ensure its long-term sustainability. For those passionate about water resources and climate, Little Lake Dam offers a glimpse into the intersection of human engineering and environmental stewardship.
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 Little Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Big River Below Desloge | 80 cfs | → |
| Big River Near Richwoods | 346 cfs | → |
| Big River At Irondale | 44 cfs | → |
| Big River At Byrnesville | 361 cfs | → |
| Meramec River At Pacific | 1,300 cfs | → |
| Meramec River Near Sullivan | 574 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Little Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Choctaw Drive St. Francois County
- Bismarch Lake Road St. Francois County
- Williamson Road Oakville
- Ellis Grove Parkway Jefferson County
- Lemay Ferry Road Oakville
- Council Bluff Lake Trail Washington County
Campgrounds
- St. Francois State Park
- Washington State Park
- St. Joe State Park
- Hawn State Park
- Brazil Creek Trailhead
- Berryman
Fishing spots
Track Little 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 Little Lake Dam
Where does the data for Little 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 Little Lake Dam.