Upper Little Black A-7 Dam

LITTLE BLACK· Ripley, Missouri· Built 1984· Earth· 54 ft tall
High Hazard Flood Risk Reduction Local Government

Key Takeaway

Upper Little Black A-7 Dam is classified as high hazard in Missouri. It was completed in 1984 and is 42 years old. Its primary use is flood risk reduction. 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 54 ft (taller than 96.1% in MO)
Dam Length1,600 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage5.8K acre-ft
Normal Storage486 acre-ft
Surface Area64 acres
Drainage Area10 sq mi
Max Discharge8,367 cfs
Year Completed1984 (42 years old)
NID IDMO31829

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: March 3, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: Dam and Reservoir Safety Program

Ownership

UPPER LITTLE BLACK SUBD

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Upper Little Black A-7 Dam?

Upper Little Black A-7 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 Upper Little Black A-7 Dam?

Upper Little Black A-7 Dam is owned by UPPER LITTLE BLACK SUBD (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Upper Little Black A-7 Dam built?

Upper Little Black A-7 Dam was completed in 1984, making it 42 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 Upper Little Black A-7 Dam?

Upper Little Black A-7 Dam serves the following purposes: Flood Risk Reduction. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Upper Little Black A-7 Dam?

Upper Little Black A-7 Dam has a dam height of 54 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 Upper Little Black A-7 Dam last inspected?

Upper Little Black A-7 Dam was last inspected on March 3, 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.