St. Joe State Park Dam

SHAW BRANCH-FLAT RIVER· St. Francois, Missouri· Built 1965· Rockfill· 130 ft tall
High Hazard Tailings State Government

Key Takeaway

St. Joe State Park Dam is classified as high hazard in Missouri. It was completed in 1965 and is 61 years old. Its primary use is tailings. 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 130 ft (taller than 99.7% in MO)
Dam Length2,930 ft
Dam TypeRockfill
Max Storage54.2K acre-ft
Normal Storage37.2K acre-ft
Surface Area970 acres
Drainage Area5 sq mi
Max Discharge12,100 cfs
Year Completed1965 (61 years old)
Year Modified1997
NID IDMO30277

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: Yes
Last Inspection: January 11, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: Dam and Reservoir Safety Program

Ownership

MO. DNR PARKS

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of St. Joe State Park Dam?

St. Joe State Park 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 St. Joe State Park Dam?

St. Joe State Park Dam is owned by MO. DNR PARKS (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was St. Joe State Park Dam built?

St. Joe State Park Dam was completed in 1965, making it 61 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 St. Joe State Park Dam?

St. Joe State Park Dam serves the following purposes: Tailings. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is St. Joe State Park Dam?

St. Joe State Park Dam has a dam height of 130 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 St. Joe State Park Dam last inspected?

St. Joe State Park Dam was last inspected on January 11, 2022. 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.