Harper Lake Dam
Harper Lake Dam is an earth dam located in Cass County, Missouri, built in 1960. It carries a High hazard potential classification.
About Harper Lake Dam
The primary purpose of Harper Lake Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Raymond Harper (private). It impounds the Tr-wolf Creek Branch near Perculiar.
The dam stands 25 feet tall, creates a reservoir covering 35 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 468 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 260 square miles. Completed in 1960, 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 | Cass |
| Nearest City | Perculiar |
| River/Stream | Tr-wolf Creek Branch |
| Coordinates | 38.71466, -94.47077 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 25 ft |
| Dam Height | 25 ft |
| Year Completed | 1960 (66 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 468 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 468 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 225 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 35 acres |
| Drainage Area | 260 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | RAYMOND HARPER |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Not Rated |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MO20053 |
| Federal ID | MO20053 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |