Callaway Forks Dam
Callaway Forks Dam is an earth dam located in St. Charles County, Missouri, built in 1981. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Callaway Forks Dam
The primary purpose of Callaway Forks Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Callaway Lake Owners Assn. (private). It impounds the Callaway Fork near New Melle.
The dam stands 80 feet tall and stretches 600 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 154 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 5,136 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 12 square miles. Completed in 1981, the structure is 45 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 04/04/2023.
At 80 feet, this dam is taller than 97% of all dams in the United States.
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. Charles |
| Nearest City | New Melle |
| River/Stream | Callaway Fork |
| Coordinates | 38.68228, -90.84515 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 80 ft |
| Dam Height | 80 ft |
| Dam Length | 600 ft |
| Year Completed | 1981 (45 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 5,136 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 5,136 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 5,136 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 154 acres |
| Drainage Area | 12 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 13,583 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | CALLAWAY LAKE OWNERS ASSN. |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 04/04/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MO31845 |
| Federal ID | MO31845 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |