Harden Lake dam
Harden Lake
Harden Lake in Adair County, Missouri, is a privately owned earth dam completed in 1996 for grade stabilization purposes on the TR-WALNUT CREEK. The dam stands at a height of 30 feet, with a hydraulic height of 25 feet and a length of 495 feet. It has a maximum storage capacity of 47 acre-feet and a normal storage capacity of 30 acre-feet, covering a surface area of 16 acres with a drainage area of 257 square miles.
Despite its low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment rating, Harden Lake has not been inspected or assessed for condition, emergency action plan preparedness, or inundation maps. The dam is located in a remote area near PURE AIR and is not regulated or permitted by the state, with no enforcement or inspection mechanisms in place. Although it serves a critical role in grade stabilization, there are no outlet gates or associated structures, and it poses a minimal risk to downstream areas.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Harden Lake offers an interesting case study in dam infrastructure in rural Missouri. With its stone core and soil foundation, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water flow and preventing erosion along TR-WALNUT CREEK. While the dam itself has not been rated for condition, the low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment suggest a stable structure that serves its purpose effectively. As a privately owned facility, the lack of state regulation and inspection raises questions about long-term maintenance and emergency preparedness, highlighting the importance of proactive monitoring and management of water resources in the region.
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 Harden Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Chariton River At Novinger | 173 cfs | → |
| Chariton River At Livonia | 45 cfs | → |
| Long Branch Creek Near Atlanta | 0 cfs | → |
| Locust Creek Near Linneus | 91 cfs | → |
| East Fork Little Chariton R. Nr Macon | 106 cfs | → |
| Medicine Creek Near Laredo | 112 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Harden Lake.
Track Harden Lake 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 Harden Lake
Where does the data for Harden Lake 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 Harden Lake.