Grindstone-lost-muddy Watershed Dam A-39

About Grindstone-lost-muddy Watershed Dam A-39

The primary purpose of Grindstone-lost-muddy Watershed Dam A-39 is grade stabilization. Grade stabilization dams prevent erosion by reducing the slope and velocity of water flowing through a channel. They're commonly used to stop gullies from deepening and to protect downstream land and infrastructure. The dam is owned by Grndstn-lst-mdy Wrsd Sbd (local government). It impounds the Tr-grindstone Creek near Pattonsburg.

The dam stands 31 feet tall and stretches 800 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 7 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 213 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 83 square miles. Completed in 1969, 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. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 06/01/2008. That was 17 years ago — unusually long for a high-hazard dam, which typically requires more frequent inspections.

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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