Cowan Lake Dam East

TR-SAC RIVER· Cedar, Missouri· Built 1960· Earth· 34 ft tall
High Hazard Other Private

Key Takeaway

Cowan Lake Dam East is classified as high hazard in Missouri. It was completed in 1960 and is 66 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 34 ft (taller than 82.3% in MO)
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage364 acre-ft
Normal Storage180 acre-ft
Surface Area20 acres
Drainage Area180 sq mi
Year Completed1960 (66 years old)
NID IDMO20338

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
State Regulated: No

Ownership

W.O. COWAN

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Cowan Lake Dam East?

Cowan Lake Dam East 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 Cowan Lake Dam East?

Cowan Lake Dam East is owned by W.O. COWAN (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Cowan Lake Dam East built?

Cowan Lake Dam East was completed in 1960, making it 66 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 Cowan Lake Dam East?

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

How tall is Cowan Lake Dam East?

Cowan Lake Dam East has a dam height of 34 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.