Watkin Lake Dam
Watkin Lake Dam is an earth dam located in Livingston County, Missouri, built in 1969. It carries a High hazard potential classification.
About Watkin Lake Dam
The primary purpose of Watkin Lake Dam is irrigation. The dam stores and diverts water for agricultural irrigation, supporting farming operations in the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Melvin Watkins (private). It impounds the Tr-clear Creek near Bedford.
The dam stands 23 feet tall, creates a reservoir covering 19 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 234 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 110 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.
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 | Livingston |
| Nearest City | Bedford |
| River/Stream | Tr-clear Creek |
| Coordinates | 39.64823, -93.62761 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 23 ft |
| Dam Height | 23 ft |
| Year Completed | 1969 (57 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 234 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 234 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 105 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 19 acres |
| Drainage Area | 110 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Irrigation |
| Owner | MELVIN WATKINS |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Not Rated |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MO10436 |
| Federal ID | MO10436 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |