Tarpening Lake Dam
Tarpening Lake Dam is an earth dam located in Linn County, Missouri, built in 1976. It carries a High hazard potential classification.
About Tarpening Lake Dam
The primary purpose of Tarpening Lake Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Gil Gallagher (private). It impounds the Tr-clarks Creek near Keytesville.
The dam stands 24 feet tall, creates a reservoir covering 7 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 90 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 13 square miles. Completed in 1976, the structure is 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 | Linn |
| Nearest City | Keytesville |
| River/Stream | Tr-clarks Creek |
| Coordinates | 39.71981, -92.92032 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 24 ft |
| Dam Height | 24 ft |
| Year Completed | 1976 (50 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 90 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 90 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 82 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 7 acres |
| Drainage Area | 13 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | GIL GALLAGHER |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Not Rated |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MO11078 |
| Federal ID | MO11078 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |