Epperson Dam dam
Epperson Dam
Epperson Dam, located in Pike, Missouri, along the Little Peno Creek, was completed in 1994 with a primary purpose of grade stabilization. This private-owned dam stands at a height of 28 feet with a hydraulic height of 19 feet and a structural height of 27 feet. Its earth-type construction with a stone core rests on a soil foundation and spans a length of 465 feet, providing a storage capacity of 24 acre-feet and a drainage area of 262.4 square miles.
Despite its low hazard potential, Epperson Dam is classified as having a moderate risk level, with a maximum discharge capacity of 113 cubic feet per second and an uncontrolled spillway width of 14 feet. The dam's surface area covers 7 acres, serving as a vital component for managing water resources in the area. While it has not been rated for condition assessment, the dam has not been inspected recently, highlighting the need for continued monitoring and maintenance to ensure its long-term stability and functionality for grade stabilization along the Little Peno Creek.
Managed by the St. Louis District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, Epperson Dam plays a crucial role in the local water management system, contributing to flood control and water supply regulation. Its presence serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining and monitoring infrastructure to mitigate risks and ensure the sustainable use of water resources in the region. With its strategic location and design features, Epperson Dam stands as a testament to human ingenuity in harnessing nature's resources while also highlighting the need for ongoing vigilance in the face of changing climate patterns and environmental challenges.
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 Epperson Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Spencer Cr. Bl Plum Cr. Nr Frankford | 12 cfs | → |
| Salt River Near New London | 4,970 cfs | → |
| Salt River Near Center | 2,410 cfs | → |
| Bear Creek At Hannibal | 2 cfs | → |
| Lick Creek At Perry | 4 cfs | → |
| Long Branch Near Santa Fe | 11 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Epperson Dam.
Track Epperson 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 Epperson Dam
Where does the data for Epperson 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 Epperson Dam.