Kesterson Dam
Kesterson Dam is an earth dam located in Johnson County, Missouri, built in 1949. It carries a High hazard potential classification.
About Kesterson Dam
The primary purpose of Kesterson 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 John Kesterson (private). It impounds the Tr-west Pin Oak Creek near Holden.
The dam stands 25 feet tall, creates a reservoir covering 19 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 254 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 76 square miles. Completed in 1949, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.
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 | Johnson |
| Nearest City | Holden |
| River/Stream | Tr-west Pin Oak Creek |
| Coordinates | 38.72345, -94.03214 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 25 ft |
| Dam Height | 25 ft |
| Year Completed | 1949 (77 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 254 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 254 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 184 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 19 acres |
| Drainage Area | 76 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | JOHN KESTERSON |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Not Rated |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MO20016 |
| Federal ID | MO20016 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |