Cottontail Lake Dam

TR-EAST BR-BIG CREEK· Jackson, Missouri· Built 1966· Earth· 25 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Cottontail Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in Missouri. It was completed in 1966 and is 60 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 25 ft (taller than 23.5% in MO)
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage281 acre-ft
Normal Storage154 acre-ft
Surface Area21 acres
Drainage Area1,200 sq mi
Year Completed1966 (60 years old)
NID IDMO20025

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

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

Emergency Action Plan: No
State Regulated: No

Ownership

MO DEPT OF CONSERVATION

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Cottontail Lake Dam?

Cottontail Lake Dam is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Cottontail Lake Dam?

Cottontail Lake Dam is owned by MO DEPT OF CONSERVATION (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Cottontail Lake Dam built?

Cottontail Lake Dam was completed in 1966, making it 60 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 Cottontail Lake Dam?

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

How tall is Cottontail Lake Dam?

Cottontail Lake Dam has a dam height of 25 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.

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.