Von Der Ahe

About Von Der Ahe

The primary purpose of Von Der Ahe is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Russell Von Der Ahe (private). It impounds the Tr Caluey Creek near Pacific.

The dam stands 34 feet tall, creates a reservoir covering 20 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 364 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 292 square miles. Completed in 1977, the structure is 49 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 05/22/1980. That was 45 years ago — unusually long for a high-hazard dam, which typically requires more frequent inspections.

At 34 feet, this dam is taller than 80% 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.