Bishop Dam
Bishop Dam is an earth dam located in Dent County, Missouri, built in 1972. It carries a High hazard potential classification.
About Bishop Dam
The primary purpose of Bishop Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Douglas Bishop (private). It impounds the Stone Hill Branch near Wesco.
The dam stands 25 feet tall, creates a reservoir covering 15 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 201 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 260 square miles. Completed in 1972, 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 | Dent |
| Nearest City | Wesco |
| River/Stream | Stone Hill Branch |
| Coordinates | 37.60662, -91.31600 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 25 ft |
| Dam Height | 25 ft |
| Year Completed | 1972 (54 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 201 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 201 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 110 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 15 acres |
| Drainage Area | 260 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | DOUGLAS BISHOP |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Not Rated |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MO31049 |
| Federal ID | MO31049 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |