Spanish Lake dam
Spanish Lake
Spanish Lake is a picturesque reservoir located in New Iberia, Louisiana, owned and managed by the local government. Built in 1958 by the LA Department of Public Works, this earth dam spans 20,740 feet and stands at a height of 18 feet, providing a serene recreational spot for visitors. The reservoir has a storage capacity of 9,100 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 1,240 acres, offering a tranquil environment for water resource and climate enthusiasts to explore.
Managed by the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, Spanish Lake is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced by state agencies to ensure its safety and compliance with regulations. The dam's spillway is uncontrolled, with a width of 9 feet, and features vertical lift outlet gates. Despite its low hazard potential and fair condition assessment, the reservoir underwent structural modifications in 1994 to enhance its safety and functionality, reflecting a commitment to maintaining the site for public enjoyment and environmental preservation.
With a moderate risk assessment rating and a drainage area of 2.36 square miles, Spanish Lake offers a blend of recreational opportunities and conservation efforts. Its location along Bayou Teche offstream adds to its allure, attracting visitors to appreciate its natural beauty and engage in outdoor activities. As a vital part of the local landscape, Spanish Lake serves as a valuable resource for the community, highlighting the importance of sustainable water management practices and climate resilience in the region.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Spanish Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Vermilion River At Surrey St. At Lafayette | 2,930 cfs | → |
| Vermilion River At Perry | 3,660 cfs | → |
| Bayou Teche At Adeline Bridge Near Jeanerette | 959 cfs | → |
| Charenton Drainage Canal At Baldwin | 7,760 cfs | → |
| Giww At Bayou Sale Ridge Near Franklin | 8,250 cfs | → |
| Wax Lake Outlet At Calumet | 123,000 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Spanish Lake.
Boat launches
- Spanish Lake Road 125, Iberia Parish
- Bayou Benoit Levee Road St. Martin Parish
- Weeks Island Road Iberia Parish
- Henderson Levee Road Henderson
- Herman Dupis Road 1798, St. Martin Parish
- Cypremort Point, St. Mary Parish, Louisiana, Vs
Campgrounds
- Acadiana Park
- Lake Fausse Pointe State Park
- Abbeville Rv Park
- Palmetto Island State Park
- Cypremort Point State Park
- Rayne Rv Park Gossen Memorial Park
Fishing spots
Track Spanish Lake in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Spanish Lake
Where does the data for Spanish Lake come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the Low hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Spanish Lake.