Byington Lake Dam

OWENS CREEK· Osage, Missouri· Built 1970· Earth· 33 ft tall

High Hazard Fire Protection Stock Or Small Fish Pond Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Byington Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in Missouri. It was completed in 1970 and is 56 years old. Its primary use is fire protection. 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 Type	Earth
Max Storage	159 acre-ft
Normal Storage	125 acre-ft

Surface Area	9 acres
Drainage Area	110 sq mi
Year Completed	1970 (56 years old)
NID ID	MO31270

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: July 16, 1980

State Regulated: No

Ownership

THOMAS BYINGTON

Private

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Byington Lake Dam?

Byington 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 Byington Lake Dam?

Byington Lake Dam is owned by THOMAS BYINGTON (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Byington Lake Dam built?

Byington Lake Dam was completed in 1970, making it 56 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 Byington Lake Dam?

Byington Lake Dam serves the following purposes: Fire Protection, Stock, Or Small Fish Pond, Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Byington Lake Dam?

Byington 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 Byington Lake Dam last inspected?

Byington Lake Dam was last inspected on July 16, 1980. 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.