Miller Dam dam
Miller Dam
Miller Dam, located on the Fabius River in Scotland County, Missouri, was completed in 1997 for the primary purpose of grade stabilization. This privately owned earth dam stands at a height of 26.8 feet and has a hydraulic height of 24 feet, with a length of 540 feet. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam plays a crucial role in regulating water flow, with a maximum storage capacity of 74 acre-feet and a normal storage of 53 acre-feet.
The dam, constructed with a stone core and soil foundation, serves as a vital structure for managing water resources in the region. Its uncontrolled spillway, 10 feet in width, allows for controlled discharge of water during peak flows. With a moderate risk assessment rating and a condition assessment of "Not Rated," there is a need for ongoing monitoring and maintenance to ensure the dam's continued effectiveness in mitigating the impacts of climate variability on the surrounding area. Water resource and climate enthusiasts can appreciate the role of Miller Dam in safeguarding the local ecosystem and communities from potential flooding events.
Despite being privately owned and not regulated by the state, Miller Dam represents a critical infrastructure piece in the area's water management system. As a key component for grade stabilization and water flow regulation, the dam underscores the importance of sustainable water resource management practices in the face of changing climate conditions. Its strategic location on the Fabius River and low hazard potential make it a valuable asset for protecting the surrounding landscape and enhancing the resilience of the region to climate-related 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 Miller Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines River At Keosauqua | 9,700 cfs | → |
| Fox River At Wayland | 53 cfs | → |
| Des Moines River At St. Francisville | 9,170 cfs | → |
| Chariton River At Livonia | 45 cfs | → |
| Fox River At Bloomfield | 7 cfs | → |
| Chariton River At Novinger | 1,310 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Miller Dam.
Boat launches
- Lake Showme Drive Scotland County
- See Road Scotland County
- Jersey Avenue Van Buren County
- Van Buren County
- Us 136 Schuyler County
Campgrounds
- Waubonsie Trail Park
- Lake Sugema County Park
- Lacey-Keosauqua State Park Campground
- Lacey - Keosauqua State Park
- Indian Lake Park
- Battle Of Athens State Park
More reservoirs
Track Miller 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 Miller Dam
Where does the data for Miller 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 Miller Dam.