Patt Hilltop Dam
Patt Hilltop Dam is an earth dam located in St. Francois County, Missouri, built in 1976. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Patt Hilltop Dam
The primary purpose of Patt Hilltop Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is state-owned. It impounds the Tr-big River near Bellefontame.
The dam stands 39 feet tall and stretches 383 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 4 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 55 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1976, the structure is 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 12/08/2021.
At 39 feet, this dam is taller than 86% 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.
Location
| State | Missouri |
| County | St. Francois |
| Nearest City | Bellefontame |
| River/Stream | Tr-big River |
| Coordinates | 37.98072, -90.56879 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 39 ft |
| Dam Height | 39 ft |
| Dam Length | 383 ft |
| Year Completed | 1976 (50 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 55 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 55 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 55 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 4 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 170 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner Type | State |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 12/08/2021 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MO31189 |
| Federal ID | MO31189 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |