Polk County topographic map

In 1929 it was announced that the Bagnell Dam would be constructed and the town would be flooded, causing controversy among the city's citizens. Almost all of the buildings were demolished, and the city was moved to a higher elevation, losing its designation as the county seat.

Average elevation: 820 ft

Average elevation: 974 ft

Average elevation: 863 ft

Average elevation: 335 ft

Average elevation: 991 ft

Average elevation: 558 ft

Average elevation: 846 ft

Average elevation: 617 ft

Average elevation: 935 ft

Average elevation: 741 ft

Average elevation: 659 ft

When the surveyors for the Missouri Pacific Railroad came through, the local people and the railroad wanted to name the town in Dr. Lea's honor. He had a farm on the highest point and near the path of the tracks, and his murder had taken place near the site of the proposed depot. So they chose the name of…

Average elevation: 945 ft

Average elevation: 961 ft

Average elevation: 633 ft

Average elevation: 344 ft

Average elevation: 843 ft

Average elevation: 791 ft

Average elevation: 968 ft

Average elevation: 751 ft

Average elevation: 961 ft

Average elevation: 781 ft

Average elevation: 889 ft

Average elevation: 315 ft

Average elevation: 482 ft

The lake was created by the construction of the 2,543-foot (775 m) long Bagnell Dam by the Union Electric Company of St. Louis, Missouri. The principal engineering firm was Stone and Webster. Construction began August 8, 1929, and was completed in April 1931; the lake reached spillway elevation on May 20, 1931.

Average elevation: 869 ft

Average elevation: 564 ft

The Big River is a tributary of the Meramec River in east-central Missouri. The river rises in western Iron County near the summit of Johnson Mountain just north of Missouri Route 32 and approximately 3.5 miles southeast of the community of Enough. It flows through Washington, Saint Francois, and Jefferson…

Average elevation: 722 ft

Average elevation: 994 ft

Average elevation: 1,293 ft

Average elevation: 1,043 ft

Average elevation: 584 ft

Average elevation: 1,096 ft

Average elevation: 837 ft

Average elevation: 912 ft

Average elevation: 367 ft

Average elevation: 951 ft

Average elevation: 981 ft

Average elevation: 495 ft

Average elevation: 610 ft

Average elevation: 896 ft

Average elevation: 837 ft

Average elevation: 558 ft

Average elevation: 1,076 ft

Average elevation: 548 ft

Average elevation: 627 ft

Average elevation: 869 ft

Average elevation: 860 ft

Average elevation: 623 ft

Average elevation: 1,115 ft

Average elevation: 686 ft

Average elevation: 1,148 ft

Average elevation: 614 ft

Average elevation: 883 ft

Average elevation: 951 ft

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Average elevation: 761 ft

Average elevation: 374 ft

Average elevation: 1,138 ft

Average elevation: 709 ft

Average elevation: 600 ft

Average elevation: 505 ft

Average elevation: 482 ft

Average elevation: 978 ft

Average elevation: 840 ft

Average elevation: 259 ft

Average elevation: 650 ft

Average elevation: 958 ft

Average elevation: 610 ft

Average elevation: 755 ft

Average elevation: 1,358 ft

Average elevation: 879 ft

Average elevation: 928 ft

Average elevation: 928 ft

Average elevation: 906 ft

Average elevation: 810 ft

Average elevation: 889 ft

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Average elevation: 945 ft

Average elevation: 1,106 ft

Average elevation: 604 ft

Average elevation: 495 ft

Average elevation: 404 ft

Average elevation: 614 ft

Average elevation: 1,007 ft

Average elevation: 1,037 ft

Average elevation: 935 ft

Average elevation: 961 ft

Average elevation: 738 ft

Average elevation: 823 ft

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Average elevation: 925 ft

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Average elevation: 873 ft

Average elevation: 761 ft

Average elevation: 840 ft

Average elevation: 840 ft

Average elevation: 965 ft

Average elevation: 984 ft

Average elevation: 928 ft

Average elevation: 961 ft