Denslow Lake Dam

TR-CHARITON RIVER· Adair, Missouri· Built 1977· Earth· 25 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Denslow Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in Missouri. It was completed in 1977 and is 49 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 25 ft (taller than 23.5% in MO)
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage40 acre-ft
Normal Storage25 acre-ft
Surface Area3 acres
Drainage Area3 sq mi
Year Completed1977 (49 years old)
NID IDMO11480

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

J S DENSLOW

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Denslow Lake Dam?

Denslow 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 Denslow Lake Dam?

Denslow Lake Dam is owned by J S DENSLOW (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Denslow Lake Dam built?

Denslow Lake Dam was completed in 1977, making it 49 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 Denslow Lake Dam?

Denslow 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 Denslow Lake Dam?

Denslow 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.