Wensler Lake Dam dam
Wensler Lake Dam
Wensler Lake Dam, located in Maries County, Missouri, is a private-owned earth dam that was completed in 1960 primarily for recreational purposes. With a height of 24 feet and a storage capacity of 103 acre-feet, the dam provides a surface area of 8 acres for water-based activities. Situated on a tributary to Little Bourbeuse Creek, the dam is managed by the private owner and is not regulated or inspected by state agencies.
Despite its low hazard potential, Wensler Lake Dam has not been rated for its condition assessment, and emergency action plans have not been prepared or updated. The dam's risk assessment, management measures, and inundation maps are also lacking, indicating a need for improved safety protocols and emergency preparedness. While the dam serves as a recreational destination, there is a potential for increased safety measures and regulatory oversight to ensure the continued protection of the surrounding area and downstream communities.
As an enthusiast of water resources and climate, Wensler Lake Dam presents an intriguing case study for examining the balance between recreational benefits and the need for proper dam safety protocols. The dam's location in a rural area of Missouri, combined with its limited oversight and lack of comprehensive risk assessment, highlights the importance of proactive monitoring and maintenance practices to mitigate potential hazards. By delving into the specifics of Wensler Lake Dam's management and regulatory framework, enthusiasts can gain valuable insights into the complexities of ensuring both public safety and recreational access in dam infrastructure projects.
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 Wensler Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Bourbeuse River Near High Gate | 178 cfs | → |
| Gasconade River Near Rich Fountain | 2,320 cfs | → |
| Meramec River Near Steelville | 299 cfs | → |
| Little Piney Creek At Newburg | 168 cfs | → |
| Gasconade River At Jerome | 1,360 cfs | → |
| Meramec River At Cook Station | 41 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Wensler Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Prairie Lake Road Phelps County
- Tea Road Gasconade County
- County Route 809 Osage County
- Crawford County
- Logan Road Pulaski County
- Us 50;Us 63 Osage County
Campgrounds
- Paydown Access - Mdc
- Rollins Ferry Access - Mdc
- Lane Spring
- Onondaga Cave State Park
- Lane Spring Recreation Area
- Backpack Camp 3
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 Wensler 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 Wensler Lake Dam
Where does the data for Wensler 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 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 Wensler Lake Dam.