Iron Mountain Lake Dam

MIDDLEBROOK CR· St. Francois, Missouri· Built 1847· Rockfill· 16 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Iron Mountain Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in Missouri. It was completed in 1847 and is 179 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 16 ft (taller than 4.1% in MO)
Dam TypeRockfill
Max Storage599 acre-ft
Normal Storage280 acre-ft
Surface Area70 acres
Drainage Area3,775 sq mi
Year Completed1847 (179 years old)
NID IDMO30057

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: February 23, 1981
State Regulated: No

Ownership

IRON MTN LAKE OWNR ASSOC

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Iron Mountain Lake Dam?

Iron Mountain 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 Iron Mountain Lake Dam?

Iron Mountain Lake Dam is owned by IRON MTN LAKE OWNR ASSOC (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Iron Mountain Lake Dam built?

Iron Mountain Lake Dam was completed in 1847, making it 179 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 Iron Mountain Lake Dam?

Iron Mountain 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 Iron Mountain Lake Dam?

Iron Mountain Lake Dam has a dam height of 16 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 Iron Mountain Lake Dam last inspected?

Iron Mountain Lake Dam was last inspected on February 23, 1981. 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.