Lake Viking Dam

Lake Viking Dam is an earth dam located in Daviess County, Missouri, built in 1967. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.

About Lake Viking Dam

The primary purpose of Lake Viking Dam is water supply. The dam stores water for municipal, industrial, or agricultural use, helping ensure a reliable supply for the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Viking Valley Assn (private). It impounds the Big Creek near Gallatin.

The dam stands 85 feet tall and stretches 1,500 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 590 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 25,075 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 14 square miles. Completed in 1967, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.

This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. Its condition is rated satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 03/01/2023.

At 85 feet, this dam is taller than 97% of all dams in the United States.

Living Downstream

If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The Missouri dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.

Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.

High HazardSatisfactory ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Yes

Location

StateMissouri
CountyDaviess
Nearest CityGallatin
River/StreamBig Creek
Coordinates39.93810, -94.05677

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeEarth
NID Height85 ft
Dam Height85 ft
Dam Length1,500 ft
Year Completed1967 (59 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage25,075 acre-ft
Max Storage25,075 acre-ft
Normal Storage25,075 acre-ft
Surface Area590 acres
Drainage Area14 sq mi
Max Discharge12,804 cfs
Spillway TypeUncontrolled

Ownership & Safety

PurposeWater Supply
OwnerVIKING VALLEY ASSN
Owner TypePrivate
Hazard ClassificationHigh
Condition AssessmentSatisfactory
Last Inspection03/01/2023
Emergency Action PlanYes

Identifiers

NID IDMO10414
Federal IDMO10414
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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