Brays Lake Dam
Brays Lake Dam is an earth dam located in Phelps County, Missouri, built in 1963. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Brays Lake Dam
The primary purpose of Brays Lake Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Jordon Lepich (private). It impounds the Abbott Branch-beaver Creek near Newburg.
The dam stands 79 feet tall and stretches 1,200 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 96 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 3,636 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1 square miles. Completed in 1963, 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 08/29/2022.
At 79 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.
Location
| State | Missouri |
| County | Phelps |
| Nearest City | Newburg |
| River/Stream | Abbott Branch-beaver Creek |
| Coordinates | 37.89142, -91.77837 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 79 ft |
| Dam Height | 79 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,200 ft |
| Year Completed | 1963 (63 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 3,636 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 3,636 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 2,540 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 96 acres |
| Drainage Area | 1 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 1,364 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | JORDON LEPICH |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 08/29/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MO30098 |
| Federal ID | MO30098 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |