Powder Spring Lake Dam
Powder Spring Lake Dam is an earth dam located in Washington County, Missouri, built in 1964. It carries a High hazard potential classification.
About Powder Spring Lake Dam
The primary purpose of Powder Spring Lake Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Bernis Bone (private). It impounds the Bust Branch O Mill Creek near Tiff.
The dam stands 28 feet tall, creates a reservoir covering 13 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 195 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 2,760 square miles. Completed in 1964, 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. The most recent inspection on record was 07/17/1979. That was 46 years ago — unusually long for a high-hazard dam, which typically requires more frequent inspections.
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 | Washington |
| Nearest City | Tiff |
| River/Stream | Bust Branch O Mill Creek |
| Coordinates | 38.01429, -90.68169 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 28 ft |
| Dam Height | 28 ft |
| Year Completed | 1964 (62 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 195 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 195 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 107 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 13 acres |
| Drainage Area | 2,760 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | BERNIS BONE |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Not Rated |
| Last Inspection | 07/17/1979 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MO30749 |
| Federal ID | MO30749 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |