Lac Marseilles Dam

Lac Marseilles Dam is an earth dam located in St. Francois County, Missouri, built in 1971. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.

About Lac Marseilles Dam

The primary purpose of Lac Marseilles Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Terre Du Lac Poa (private). It impounds the Tr-big River near Leadwood.

The dam stands 69 feet tall and stretches 1,185 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 56 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,900 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1971, 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. 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 12/08/2021.

At 69 feet, this dam is taller than 96% of all dams in the United States.

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.

High HazardSatisfactory ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Yes

Location

StateMissouri
CountySt. Francois
Nearest CityLeadwood
River/StreamTr-big River
Coordinates37.89478, -90.62185

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeEarth
NID Height69 ft
Dam Height69 ft
Dam Length1,185 ft
Year Completed1971 (55 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage1,900 acre-ft
Max Storage1,900 acre-ft
Normal Storage1,900 acre-ft
Surface Area56 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge2,400 cfs
Spillway TypeUncontrolled

Ownership & Safety

PurposeRecreation
OwnerTERRE DU LAC POA
Owner TypePrivate
Hazard ClassificationHigh
Condition AssessmentSatisfactory
Last Inspection12/08/2021
Emergency Action PlanYes

Identifiers

NID IDMO30282
Federal IDMO30282
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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