Lake Belle-Ann Dam dam
Lake Belle-Ann Dam
Lake Belle-Ann Dam, located in Marthasville, Missouri, is a privately owned Earth dam constructed in 1960 for irrigation purposes. With a height of 29 feet and a storage capacity of 93 acre-feet, the dam serves as a vital resource for the surrounding area’s agricultural needs. Despite its importance, the dam has not been rated for its condition and is considered to have a high hazard potential.
The dam, situated on TR College Creek, covers a surface area of 6 acres and has a drainage area of 128 square miles. While it may not be regulated by the state, the dam’s emergency action plan status is unknown, raising concerns about its safety and preparedness for potential disasters. The last inspection of the dam was conducted in 1979, highlighting the need for updated assessments and risk management measures to ensure the safety of the surrounding community and environment.
Lake Belle-Ann Dam’s unique Earth design with Buttress core types showcases its engineering complexity and significance in sustaining irrigation and recreational activities in the region. As climate change continues to impact water resources, it is crucial to prioritize the maintenance and evaluation of such structures to mitigate potential risks and safeguard the water supply 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 Lake Belle-Ann Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Bourbeuse River At Union | 329 cfs | → |
| Bonhomme Creek Near Ellisville | 3 cfs | → |
| Dardenne Creek At Ofallon | 185 cfs | → |
| Meramec River At Pacific | 1,360 cfs | → |
| Bonhomme Creek Near Clarkson Valley | 11 cfs | → |
| Caulks Creek At Chesterfield | 60 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Belle-Ann Dam.
Boat launches
- Downtown Washington
- Buchheit Road 128, Franklin County
- Katy Trail 1800, Saint Charles County
- Stierberger Court Union
- Brittany Place 1, Lake Saint Louis
- Katy Trail Warren County
Campgrounds
- Klondike County Park
- Babler Memorial State Park
- Camp Trinity
- Robertsville State Park
- St. Peters 370 Lakeside Park
- Hermann City Rv Park
Paddle runs
Track Lake Belle-Ann 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 Lake Belle-Ann Dam
Where does the data for Lake Belle-Ann 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 Lake Belle-Ann Dam.