Winter Haven Lake Dam
Winter Haven Lake Dam is an earth dam located in Jefferson County, Missouri, built in 1978. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Winter Haven Lake Dam
The primary purpose of Winter Haven Lake Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Summerset Poa (private). It impounds the Falling Rock Branch near Desoto.
The dam stands 49 feet tall and stretches 730 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 19 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 301 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1978, the structure is 48 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 08/16/2022.
At 49 feet, this dam is taller than 92% 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 | Jefferson |
| Nearest City | Desoto |
| River/Stream | Falling Rock Branch |
| Coordinates | 38.08716, -90.57889 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 49 ft |
| Dam Height | 49 ft |
| Dam Length | 730 ft |
| Year Completed | 1978 (48 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 301 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 301 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 224 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 19 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 1,264 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | SUMMERSET POA |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 08/16/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MO31192 |
| Federal ID | MO31192 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |