Elders Lake Dam \(Dry) dam
Elders Lake Dam \(Dry)
Elders Lake Dam (Dry) in Steelville, Missouri, stands as a testament to the rich history of water resource management in the region. Built in 1965, this private Earth dam boasts a height of 29 feet and a storage capacity of 217 acre-feet. Situated on the TR-Meramec River, the dam primarily serves recreational purposes, offering a serene escape for visitors looking to enjoy the 14-acre surface area of the lake.
Despite its age, Elders Lake Dam has a high hazard potential, reflecting the need for ongoing monitoring and maintenance to ensure its structural integrity. While the dam's condition is currently rated as 'Not Rated', there is a lack of regulatory oversight from state agencies, raising concerns about the potential risks associated with the dam's operation. With the surrounding area not being under state jurisdiction, the responsibility for ensuring the safety of the dam falls solely on the private owners.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts explore the complexities of Elders Lake Dam (Dry), the focus shifts towards the need for proactive risk management measures and emergency preparedness. With the absence of a formal Emergency Action Plan (EAP) and limited data on the dam's condition assessment, there is a pressing need for stakeholders to prioritize the safety of the surrounding community and ecosystems. By addressing these critical gaps in oversight and planning, the legacy of Elders Lake Dam can continue to thrive as a valuable resource for recreation while safeguarding against potential hazards.
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 Elders Lake Dam \(Dry) -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Meramec River Near Steelville | 299 cfs | → |
| Bourbeuse River Near High Gate | 178 cfs | → |
| Meramec River At Cook Station | 41 cfs | → |
| Meramec River Near Sullivan | 574 cfs | → |
| Little Piney Creek At Newburg | 168 cfs | → |
| Gasconade River At Jerome | 1,360 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Elders Lake Dam \(Dry).
Boat launches
- Crawford County
- Prairie Lake Road Phelps County
- Tea Road Gasconade County
- Meramec State Park Franklin County
- Highway W Franklin County
Campgrounds
- Onondaga Cave State Park
- Berryman
- Berryman Campground
- Red Bluff
- Brazil Creek Trailhead
- Meramec State Park
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)
- County Highway O, Laclede, County, Missouri To Ozark Spring
Track Elders Lake Dam \(Dry) 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 Elders Lake Dam \(Dry)
Where does the data for Elders Lake Dam \(Dry) 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 Elders Lake Dam \(Dry).