Bayou Darbonne Dam + Reservoir dam
Bayou Darbonne Dam + Reservoir
Located in Union, Louisiana, Bayou Darbonne Dam + Reservoir is a state-regulated water resource managed by the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development. Completed in 1961, this Earth-type dam stands at a height of 54 feet and serves multiple purposes including fish and wildlife enhancement, recreation, and water supply. With a storage capacity of 240,000 acre-feet and a surface area of 15,250 acres, this reservoir on Bayou Darbonne covers a drainage area of 1,585 square miles.
The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 879 feet and is equipped with slide gates for controlled water release. With a hazard potential rated as high and a fair condition assessment as of August 2020, regular inspections and maintenance ensure the safety and functionality of this crucial water management infrastructure. While primarily serving as a fish and wildlife pond, the reservoir offers recreational opportunities and supports water supply needs in the region. As a key component of the water infrastructure in Louisiana, Bayou Darbonne Dam + Reservoir plays a vital role in managing water resources and enhancing environmental conservation efforts in the area.
With a moderate risk assessment rating, the dam and reservoir are subject to regular monitoring and risk management measures to ensure the safety of the surrounding community and the integrity of the structure. The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development oversees the operations, inspections, and enforcement related to this water resource, highlighting the state's commitment to effective water management and environmental stewardship. As an essential component of the Vicksburg District's water infrastructure, Bayou Darbonne Dam + Reservoir stands as a testament to the importance of sustainable water resource management 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 Bayou Darbonne Dam + Reservoir -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little Corney Bayou Near Lillie | 257 cfs | → |
| Bayou Lafourche Near Crew Lake | 5,570 cfs | → |
| Boeuf River Nr Girard | 205 cfs | → |
| Chemin-A-Haut Byu Nr Beekman | 2 cfs | → |
| Bayou Bartholomew Near Jones | 34 cfs | → |
| Saline Bayou Near Lucky | 243 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bayou Darbonne Dam + Reservoir.
Boat launches
- North Spillway Road Union Parish
- Farmerville Spillway Landing
- Spillway Road Union Parish
- Terral Island Road Farmerville
- Golson Lane Farmerville
- South Main Street Farmerville
Campgrounds
- Lake Darbonne State Park
- Lincoln Parish Park
- North Shore Primitive Campground And Day Use Area
- Corney Lake Complex
- Grand Marais County Park
- South Shore Campground And Day Use Area
Track Bayou Darbonne Dam + Reservoir 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 Bayou Darbonne Dam + Reservoir
Where does the data for Bayou Darbonne Dam + Reservoir 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 High 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 Bayou Darbonne Dam + Reservoir.