Paw-paw Lake Dam
Paw-paw Lake Dam is an earth dam located in Jefferson County, Missouri, built in 1950. It carries a High hazard potential classification.
About Paw-paw Lake Dam
The primary purpose of Paw-paw Lake Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by J Robert Migneron (private). It impounds the Tr To Dry Creek near Cedar Hill.
The dam stands 28 feet tall, creates a reservoir covering 12 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 180 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 860 square miles. Completed in 1950, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.
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 | Jefferson |
| Nearest City | Cedar Hill |
| River/Stream | Tr To Dry Creek |
| Coordinates | 38.14783, -90.62833 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 28 ft |
| Dam Height | 28 ft |
| Year Completed | 1950 (76 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 180 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 180 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 88 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 12 acres |
| Drainage Area | 860 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | J ROBERT MIGNERON |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Not Rated |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MO30408 |
| Federal ID | MO30408 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |