Penny Lake Dam

TR-LITTLE OTTER CREEK· Caldwell, Missouri· Built 1960· Earth· 21 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Penny Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in Missouri. It was completed in 1960 and is 66 years old. Its primary use is fish and wildlife pond.

Physical Details

Dam Height 21 ft (taller than 13.3% in MO)
Dam Length750 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage109 acre-ft
Normal Storage40 acre-ft
Surface Area4 acres
Drainage Area131 sq mi
Max Discharge230 cfs
Year Completed1960 (66 years old)
NID IDMO50050

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: No
State Regulated: No

Ownership

HAROLD HENRY

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Penny Lake Dam?

Penny Lake Dam is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Penny Lake Dam?

Penny Lake Dam is owned by HAROLD HENRY (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Penny Lake Dam built?

Penny Lake Dam was completed in 1960, making it 66 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 Penny Lake Dam?

Penny Lake Dam serves the following purposes: Fish And Wildlife Pond, Fire Protection, Stock, Or Small Fish Pond, Grade Stabilization, Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Penny Lake Dam?

Penny Lake Dam 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.

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.