Rentfrow Lake Dam

Rentfrow Lake Dam is an earth dam located in Franklin County, Missouri, built in 1965. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.

About Rentfrow Lake Dam

The primary purpose of Rentfrow Lake Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is private-owned. It impounds the Little Meramec River near Lonedell.

The dam stands 36 feet tall and stretches 630 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 14 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 293 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1965, 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 03/07/2023.

At 36 feet, this dam is taller than 83% of dams nationwide.

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
CountyFranklin
Nearest CityLonedell
River/StreamLittle Meramec River
Coordinates38.27133, -90.80139

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeEarth
NID Height36 ft
Dam Height36 ft
Dam Length630 ft
Year Completed1965 (61 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage293 acre-ft
Max Storage293 acre-ft
Normal Storage213 acre-ft
Surface Area14 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge1,572 cfs
Spillway TypeUncontrolled

Ownership & Safety

PurposeRecreation
Owner TypePrivate
Hazard ClassificationHigh
Condition AssessmentSatisfactory
Last Inspection03/07/2023
Emergency Action PlanYes

Identifiers

NID IDMO30574
Federal IDMO30574
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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