Caney Basin Dam
Caney Basin Dam is an earth dam located in Scott County, Missouri, built in 1910. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Caney Basin Dam
The primary purpose of Caney Basin Dam is flood risk reduction. The dam is designed to control downstream flooding by temporarily storing excess water during storms and releasing it at a controlled rate. The dam is owned by Little Rvr Drainage Dist (local government). It impounds the Caney Creek near Oran.
The dam stands 47 feet tall and stretches 1,150 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 1,939 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 51,100 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 31 square miles. Completed in 1910, the structure is over a century 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 08/19/2021.
At 47 feet, this dam is taller than 92% 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 | Scott |
| Nearest City | Oran |
| River/Stream | Caney Creek |
| Coordinates | 37.14086, -89.66248 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 47 ft |
| Dam Height | 47 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,150 ft |
| Year Completed | 1910 (116 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 51,100 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 51,100 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 30,375 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 1,939 acres |
| Drainage Area | 31 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 7,876 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | LITTLE RVR DRAINAGE DIST |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 08/19/2021 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MO40070 |
| Federal ID | MO40070 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |