Cane River Dam dam
Cane River Dam
Cane River Dam, also known as Cane River Lake, is a vital structure located in Natchitoches, Louisiana, designed by the LA Department of Public Works. Completed in 1949, this earth dam spans 2,400 feet and stands at a height of 32 feet along the Upper Cane River. Its primary purpose is flood risk reduction, with additional functions including irrigation and recreation. The dam has a storage capacity of 16,000 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 1,350 acres, serving as a crucial resource for water management in the region.
Owned and regulated by the state of Louisiana, the Cane River Dam is inspected regularly by the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development to ensure its structural integrity and safety. Despite its fair condition assessment in 2018, the dam has a significant hazard potential, prompting a moderate risk assessment. With a spillway width of 98 feet and a maximum discharge capability of 2,640 cubic feet per second, the dam plays a critical role in managing water flow and mitigating flood risks in the area. The dam's emergency action plan is currently under review, highlighting the importance of proactive risk management measures.
In conclusion, Cane River Dam stands as a foundational structure in the management of water resources and climate-related challenges in Louisiana. With its multifaceted functions and strategic location on the Upper Cane River, the dam serves as a key player in flood risk reduction efforts while providing essential water storage for irrigation and recreational activities. As state-regulated infrastructure, ongoing inspections and risk assessments underscore the importance of maintaining the dam's integrity to safeguard surrounding communities and ensure sustainable water management practices for the future.
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 Cane River Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Bayou Pierre Near Lake End | 187 cfs | → |
| Big Creek At Pollock | 123 cfs | → |
| Dugdemona River Near Joyce | 36 cfs | → |
| Bayou Toro Near Toro | 91 cfs | → |
| Little River Near Rochelle | 980 cfs | → |
| Calcasieu River Nr Glenmora | 290 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Cane River Dam.
Track Cane River Dam 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 Cane River Dam
Where does the data for Cane River Dam 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 Significant 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 Cane River Dam.