Lake Girardeau Dam
Key Takeaway
Lake Girardeau Dam is classified as high hazard in Missouri. It was completed in 1964 and is 62 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 | 39 ft (taller than 89% in MO) |
| Dam Length | 1,450 ft |
| Dam Type | Earth |
| Max Storage | 2.9K acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 2.9K acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 147 acres |
| Drainage Area | 3 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 8,341 cfs |
| Year Completed | 1964 (62 years old) |
| Year Modified | 1988 |
| NID ID | MO30066 |
Safety Information
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?
Ownership
MO DEPT OF CONSERVATION
State Government
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What is the hazard classification of Lake Girardeau Dam?
Lake Girardeau 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 Lake Girardeau Dam?
Lake Girardeau Dam is owned by MO DEPT OF CONSERVATION (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.
When was Lake Girardeau Dam built?
Lake Girardeau Dam was completed in 1964, making it 62 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 Lake Girardeau Dam?
Lake Girardeau 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 Lake Girardeau Dam?
Lake Girardeau Dam has a dam height of 39 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 Lake Girardeau Dam last inspected?
Lake Girardeau Dam was last inspected on June 17, 2021. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.