Lake Sherwood

RIVER DES PERES· St. Louis, Missouri· Built 1894· Earth· 21 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Lake Sherwood is classified as high hazard in Missouri. It was completed in 1894 and is 132 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 21 ft (taller than 13.3% in MO)
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage135 acre-ft
Normal Storage80 acre-ft
Surface Area12 acres
Drainage Area121 sq mi
Year Completed1894 (132 years old)
NID IDMO11017

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: June 12, 1979
State Regulated: No

Ownership

LAKE SHERWOOD HOMEOWNERS

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lake Sherwood?

Lake Sherwood 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 Sherwood?

Lake Sherwood is owned by LAKE SHERWOOD HOMEOWNERS (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Lake Sherwood built?

Lake Sherwood was completed in 1894, making it 132 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 Sherwood?

Lake Sherwood 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 Sherwood?

Lake Sherwood has a dam height of 21 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 Sherwood last inspected?

Lake Sherwood was last inspected on June 12, 1979. 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.