Shellabarger Lake Dam
Shellabarger Lake Dam is an earth dam located in Audrain County, Missouri, built in 1974. It carries a High hazard potential classification.
About Shellabarger Lake Dam
The primary purpose of Shellabarger 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 Wayne Shellabarger (private). It impounds the Tr-davis Creek near Mexico.
The dam stands 20 feet tall, creates a reservoir covering 20 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 214 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 135 square miles. Completed in 1974, 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 | Audrain |
| Nearest City | Mexico |
| River/Stream | Tr-davis Creek |
| Coordinates | 39.13164, -92.02631 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 20 ft |
| Dam Height | 20 ft |
| Year Completed | 1974 (52 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 214 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 214 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 113 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 20 acres |
| Drainage Area | 135 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Irrigation |
| Owner | WAYNE SHELLABARGER |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Not Rated |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MO11158 |
| Federal ID | MO11158 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |