Lake Northwoods Dam
Lake Northwoods Dam is an earth dam located in Gasconade County, Missouri, built in 1968. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Lake Northwoods Dam
The primary purpose of Lake Northwoods Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Lake Northwoods Estate (private). It impounds the Tr.to Second Cr. near Bay.
The dam stands 50 feet tall and stretches 1,277 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 83 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 2,097 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1 square miles. Completed in 1968, 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 11/04/2021.
At 50 feet, this dam is taller than 93% 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 | Gasconade |
| Nearest City | Bay |
| River/Stream | Tr.to Second Cr. |
| Coordinates | 38.43114, -91.48113 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 50 ft |
| Dam Height | 50 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,277 ft |
| Year Completed | 1968 (58 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 2,097 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 2,097 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 1,340 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 83 acres |
| Drainage Area | 1 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 1,588 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | LAKE NORTHWOODS ESTATE |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 11/04/2021 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MO30110 |
| Federal ID | MO30110 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |