Harper Lake Dam

TR-WOLF CREEK BRANCH· Cass, Missouri· Built 1960· Earth· 25 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Water Supply Private

Key Takeaway

Harper Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in Missouri. It was completed in 1960 and is 66 years old. Its primary use is recreation. 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 Storage468 acre-ft
Normal Storage225 acre-ft
Surface Area35 acres
Drainage Area260 sq mi
Year Completed1960 (66 years old)
NID IDMO20053

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

RAYMOND HARPER

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Harper Lake Dam?

Harper 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 Harper Lake Dam?

Harper Lake Dam is owned by RAYMOND HARPER (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Harper Lake Dam built?

Harper Lake Dam 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 Harper Lake Dam?

Harper Lake 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 Harper Lake Dam?

Harper 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.