Lac Bourbon Dam

Lac Bourbon Dam is an earth dam located in St. Francois County, Missouri, built in 1971. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.

About Lac Bourbon Dam

The primary purpose of Lac Bourbon Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Terre Du Lac Poa (private). It impounds the Tr Big River near Leadwood.

The dam stands 43 feet tall and stretches 515 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 8 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 73 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1971, 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 04/06/2023.

At 43 feet, this dam is taller than 89% 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.

High HazardSatisfactory ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Yes

Location

StateMissouri
CountySt. Francois
Nearest CityLeadwood
River/StreamTr Big River
Coordinates37.90790, -90.63301

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeEarth
NID Height43 ft
Dam Height43 ft
Dam Length515 ft
Year Completed1971 (55 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage73 acre-ft
Max Storage73 acre-ft
Normal Storage73 acre-ft
Surface Area8 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge106 cfs
Spillway TypeUncontrolled

Ownership & Safety

PurposeRecreation
OwnerTERRE DU LAC POA
Owner TypePrivate
Hazard ClassificationHigh
Condition AssessmentSatisfactory
Last Inspection04/06/2023
Emergency Action PlanYes

Identifiers

NID IDMO30284
Federal IDMO30284
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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