Lake St. Clair Dam
Key Takeaway
Lake St. Clair Dam is classified as high hazard in Missouri. It was completed in 1970 and is 56 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 | 49 ft (taller than 94.7% in MO) |
| Dam Length | 1,000 ft |
| Dam Type | Earth |
| Max Storage | 1.1K acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 753 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 54 acres |
| Drainage Area | 2 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 3,332 cfs |
| Year Completed | 1970 (56 years old) |
| Year Modified | 1986 |
| NID ID | MO30569 |
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
LAKE ST. CLAIR TRUSTEES
Private
Nearby Dams
Lake St Clair Number Three Dam
Franklin, MO
High Hazard 30 ftLake St Clair Number Two Dam
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High Hazard 26 ftCrescent Lake Dam
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High Hazard 30 ftPeters Lake Dam
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High Hazard 30 ftCarvers Lake Dam
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Low Hazard 23 ftTrutsch Lakes-Upper-Dam
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Low Hazard 34 ftLake Thunderbird Dam
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High Hazard 45 ftTrutsch Lakes-Lower-Dam
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Low Hazard 25 ftFrequently Asked Questions
What is the hazard classification of Lake St. Clair Dam?
Lake St. Clair 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 St. Clair Dam?
Lake St. Clair Dam is owned by LAKE ST. CLAIR TRUSTEES (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.
When was Lake St. Clair Dam built?
Lake St. Clair Dam was completed in 1970, making it 56 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 St. Clair Dam?
Lake St. Clair 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 St. Clair Dam?
Lake St. Clair Dam has a dam height of 49 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 St. Clair Dam last inspected?
Lake St. Clair Dam was last inspected on May 4, 2022. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.