Joe Machs Lake Dam

St. Louis, Missouri· Built 1996· Earth· 56 ft tall
High Hazard Private

Key Takeaway

Joe Machs Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in Missouri. It was completed in 1996 and is 30 years old. 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 56 ft (taller than 96.6% in MO)
Dam Length460 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage1.3K acre-ft
Normal Storage377 acre-ft
Surface Area22 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge955 cfs
Year Completed1996 (30 years old)
Year Modified1999
NID IDMO32028

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: Yes
Last Inspection: April 5, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: Dam and Reservoir Safety Program

Ownership

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Joe Machs Lake Dam?

Joe Machs 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 Joe Machs Lake Dam?

Joe Machs Lake Dam is owned by information not available (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Joe Machs Lake Dam built?

Joe Machs Lake Dam was completed in 1996, making it 30 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

How tall is Joe Machs Lake Dam?

Joe Machs Lake Dam has a dam height of 56 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 Joe Machs Lake Dam last inspected?

Joe Machs Lake Dam was last inspected on April 5, 2022. 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.