Jefferson County - East-West Gateway Coordinating Council

A Regional Overview All-Hazard Mitigation Plan 107
obtain a safety permit after construction to operate the structures. All regulated dams
must be inspected periodically to assure that their continued operation does not constitute
a hazard to public safety, life and property. The construction of dams in Missouri has
always been an important part of the state’s economy primarily from the standpoint of the
recreational areas they create. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Geological
Survey and Resource Assessment, Dam and Reservoir Safety Program who inspect the dams
are critical to the safety of Missouri citizens. The Dam and Reservoir Safety Program
operates under the general guidance of the Dam and Reservoir Safety Council. The Council
is responsible for the development of the rules and regulations and the determination of
enforcement procedures to make the law operative. All seven council members are
appointed by the Governor.
The Missouri Dam and Reservoir Safety Program is responsible for ensuring that all new
and existing non-agricultural, non-federal dams 35 feet or more in height meet minimum
safety standards. The program reviews engineering plans and specifications; conducts
hydrologic, hydraulic and structural analysis of dams; monitors construction of new dams
and modification of existing dams; performs safety inspections of existing dams; responds
to dam safety emergencies so that public safety, life and property are protected. Basic
functions of the program include inspections, permit issuance (construction, registration
and safety permits), compliance and review, data management (around 4000 dams in
Missouri, of which only about 600 are regulated under Missouri law), inundation mapping
(provided to recorder of deeds for each county showing areas impacted by dam failure).
Dam owners are solely responsible for the safety and the liability of the dam and for
financing its upkeep, upgrade and repair. While most infrastructure facilities (roads,
bridges, sewer systems, etc.) are owned by public entities, the majority of dams in the
United States are privately owned. Many different types of people and entities own and
operate dams. About 58 percent are privately owned. Local governments own and
operate the next largest number of dams, about 16 percent. State ownership is next with
about four percent; the federal government, public utilities and undetermined interests
each own smaller numbers of dams (5%).
Contact:
James L. Alexander
Chief Engineer
MO Department of Natural Resources
Dam and Reservoir Safety Program
PO Box 250
Rolla, MO 65402-0250
Phone: 573/368-2175
Fax: 573/368-2111
Email: nralexj@dnr.state.mo.us
Web: http://www.dnr.state.mo.us/geology/damsft/damsfthp.htm