Grand Falls Dam

SHOAL CREEK· Newton, Missouri· Built 1920· Gravity· 15 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Water Supply Local Government

Key Takeaway

Grand Falls Dam is classified as low hazard in Missouri. It was completed in 1920 and is 106 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 15 ft (taller than 1.7% in MO)
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage401 acre-ft
Normal Storage180 acre-ft
Surface Area50 acres
Drainage Area275,000 sq mi
Year Completed1920 (106 years old)
NID IDMO20006

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

CITY OF JOPLIN

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Grand Falls Dam?

Grand Falls 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 Grand Falls Dam?

Grand Falls Dam is owned by CITY OF JOPLIN (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Grand Falls Dam built?

Grand Falls Dam was completed in 1920, making it 106 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 Grand Falls Dam?

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

How tall is Grand Falls Dam?

Grand Falls Dam has a dam height of 15 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.