Pony Express Lake Dam
Key Takeaway
Pony Express Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in Missouri. It was completed in 1963 and is 63 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 | 40 ft (taller than 89.7% in MO) |
| Dam Length | 1,600 ft |
| Dam Type | Earth |
| Max Storage | 3.6K acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 2.4K acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 164 acres |
| Drainage Area | 4 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 1,813 cfs |
| Year Completed | 1963 (63 years old) |
| NID ID | MO10171 |
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 Pony Express Lake Dam?
Pony Express 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 Pony Express Lake Dam?
Pony Express Lake 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 Pony Express Lake Dam built?
Pony Express Lake Dam was completed in 1963, making it 63 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 Pony Express Lake Dam?
Pony Express Lake 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 Pony Express Lake Dam?
Pony Express Lake Dam has a dam height of 40 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 Pony Express Lake Dam last inspected?
Pony Express Lake Dam was last inspected on October 14, 2021. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.