Buffalo Bill Dam
Buffalo Bill Dam is an earth dam located in DeKalb County, Missouri, built in 1990. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Buffalo Bill Dam
The primary purpose of Buffalo Bill Dam is flood risk reduction. The dam is designed to control downstream flooding by temporarily storing excess water during storms and releasing it at a controlled rate. The dam is owned by Mo Dept Of Conservation (state). It impounds the Trib West Fork Lost Creek.
The dam stands 41 feet tall and stretches 750 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 45 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 271 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 2 square miles. Completed in 1990, the structure is 36 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 08/23/2022.
At 41 feet, this dam is taller than 88% of dams nationwide.
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 | DeKalb |
| River/Stream | Trib West Fork Lost Creek |
| Coordinates | 39.81556, -94.38249 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 41 ft |
| Dam Height | 41 ft |
| Dam Length | 750 ft |
| Year Completed | 1990 (36 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 271 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 271 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 271 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 45 acres |
| Drainage Area | 2 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 596 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | MO DEPT OF CONSERVATION |
| Owner Type | State |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 08/23/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MO12201 |
| Federal ID | MO12201 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |