Non-agricultural and non-federal dams 35 feet or greater in height are regulated in Missouri and require a permit before construction may begin. A construction permit is also required for any dams requiring modifications such as alterations, enlargements, reductions, repairs or removal of a new or existing dam, reservoir or appurtenances.
There are two types of dams and reservoirs. Industrial water retention dams and reservoirs are used for the purpose of storing solids and the water associated with the particular industrial process such as tailings, slime and other similar industrial materials. The second type is the conventional dams and reservoirs. Dams and reservoirs are further classified by the downstream environment zones.
- Class I contains 10 or more permanent dwellings or any public building.
- Class II contains one to nine permanent dwellings or one or more campgrounds with permanent water, sewer and electrical services or one or more industrial buildings.
- Class III is everything else.
If development increases downstream from a permitted dam, the department’s staff will make a judgment regarding whether or not the new development warrants changing the dam’s downstream hazard classification zone to a higher class during the renewal or construction application process. Spillway design standards are based on the downstream environment zones.
Locate permitted dams using GeoSTRAT.
Length of Permit
Issued for up to one year but can be extended as needed to complete construction project.
Laws, Rules and Regulations
- Federal Law: Federal Clean Water Act
- State Law: Dams, Mills and Electric Power Chapter 236, RSMo
- Code of State Regulations: Division 22 – Dam and Reservoir Safety and Council, 10 CSR 22 Chapters 1-4
- Commission, Board, Council: Missouri Dam and Reservoir Safety Council