Bell-Settle Lake Dam

TR-MINE A BRETON CREEK· Washington, Missouri· Built 1950· Earth· 33 ft tall
High Hazard Other Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Bell-Settle Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in Missouri. It was completed in 1950 and is 76 years old. Its primary use is other. High hazard means loss of life is likely if the dam fails — it does not indicate the dam's current condition. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 33 ft (taller than 79.3% in MO)
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage230 acre-ft
Normal Storage108 acre-ft
Surface Area13 acres
Drainage Area170 sq mi
Year Completed1950 (76 years old)
NID IDMO30480

Safety Information

High Hazard

Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: January 21, 1981
State Regulated: No

Ownership

ROBERT CARR

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Bell-Settle Lake Dam?

Bell-Settle Lake Dam is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Bell-Settle Lake Dam?

Bell-Settle Lake Dam is owned by ROBERT CARR (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Bell-Settle Lake Dam built?

Bell-Settle Lake Dam was completed in 1950, making it 76 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

What is the primary purpose of Bell-Settle Lake Dam?

Bell-Settle Lake Dam serves the following purposes: Other, Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Bell-Settle Lake Dam?

Bell-Settle Lake Dam has a dam height of 33 ft. Dam height is measured from the natural streambed at the downstream toe to the top of the dam, and may differ from the visible height.

When was Bell-Settle Lake Dam last inspected?

Bell-Settle Lake Dam was last inspected on January 21, 1981. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.

Data from the National Inventory of Dams (NID) maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Dam conditions may have changed since the last update. This site is not affiliated with USACE. Do not use for emergency planning — contact your local dam safety program.