Houston Lake Dam

JUMPING BRANCH· Platte, Missouri· Built 1930· Other· 22 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Houston Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in Missouri. It was completed in 1930 and is 96 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 22 ft (taller than 14.9% in MO)
Dam TypeOther
Max Storage224 acre-ft
Normal Storage30 acre-ft
Surface Area19 acres
Drainage Area898 sq mi
Year Completed1930 (96 years old)
NID IDMO10002

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
Last Inspection: September 22, 1978
State Regulated: No

Ownership

VENETIAN GARDENS HOMES

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Houston Lake Dam?

Houston 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 Houston Lake Dam?

Houston Lake Dam is owned by VENETIAN GARDENS HOMES (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Houston Lake Dam built?

Houston Lake Dam was completed in 1930, making it 96 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 Houston Lake Dam?

Houston 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 Houston Lake Dam?

Houston Lake Dam has a dam height of 22 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.

When was Houston Lake Dam last inspected?

Houston Lake Dam was last inspected on September 22, 1978. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.

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.