Wilhite Dam
Wilhite Dam is a rockfill dam located in Pike County, Missouri, built in 1975. It carries a High hazard potential classification.
About Wilhite Dam
The primary purpose of Wilhite Dam is debris control. The dam is designed to catch sediment, rocks, and debris carried by flowing water — particularly important in areas prone to mudslides or heavy erosion. The dam is owned by James Wilhite (private). It impounds the Cains Creek near Louisiana.
The dam stands 30 feet tall, creates a reservoir covering 11 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 177 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 350 square miles. Completed in 1975, 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.
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.
Location
| State | Missouri |
| County | Pike |
| Nearest City | Louisiana |
| River/Stream | Cains Creek |
| Coordinates | 39.45250, -91.19722 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Rockfill |
| NID Height | 30 ft |
| Dam Height | 30 ft |
| Year Completed | 1975 (51 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 177 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 177 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 110 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 11 acres |
| Drainage Area | 350 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Debris Control |
| Owner | JAMES WILHITE |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Not Rated |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MO11307 |
| Federal ID | MO11307 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |