A registration permit is required for a dam built or under construction prior to Aug. 13, 1981. Department staff will perform an initial engineering analysis to determine if the dam meets the minimum standards defined in the rules and regulations. If the dam is found to meet the criteria a registration permit will be issued. If the dam requires modification, the owner will need to apply for a construction permit to address the defects or necessary changes.
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
Registration permits may be issued for a time period up to five years. Prior to expiration, a registration permit must be renewed by following the procedure described in 10 CSR 22-2.060.
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