Brands Upper Lake Dam-sec 22

About Brands Upper Lake Dam-sec 22

The primary purpose of Brands Upper Lake Dam-sec 22 is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Edward Brands (private). It impounds the Tr Madden Creek near Minnith.

The dam stands 25 feet tall, creates a reservoir covering 2 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 27 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 54 square miles. Completed in 1973, 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.

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