Bear Creek No 1 dam
Bear Creek No 1
Bear Creek No 1 is a privately owned dam located in Reeves, Louisiana, along Cane Brake Creek. Built by the USDA NRCS in 1959, this Earth-type dam serves the primary purpose of flood risk reduction. With a height of 24 feet and a length of 4373 feet, the dam has a storage capacity of 3620 acre-feet and a surface area of 192 acres, making it a significant structure in the area.
While the dam has a spillway width of 200 feet and an uncontrolled spillway type, its condition assessment in 2018 was deemed unsatisfactory, with a significant hazard potential. Despite regular inspections every 3 years, there are no emergency action plans in place, raising concerns about preparedness in case of a dam failure. The risk assessment for Bear Creek No 1 is moderate (3), indicating the need for proactive risk management measures to mitigate potential hazards.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Bear Creek No 1 offers a fascinating study in the intersection of infrastructure, environmental conservation, and public safety. As a key component in flood risk reduction efforts in Allen, Louisiana, this dam stands as a testament to the ongoing challenges and responsibilities associated with managing water resources in a changing climate. Its historical significance, structural details, and risk assessment provide valuable insights for those interested in sustainable water management practices and the implications of aging infrastructure on community resilience.
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 Bear Creek No 1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Calcasieu River Near Kinder | 1,180 cfs | → |
| Whiskey Chitto Creek Near Oberlin | 413 cfs | → |
| Calcasieu River Near Oberlin | 741 cfs | → |
| Bundick Ck Nr De Ridder | 321 cfs | → |
| Bayou Nezpique Near Basile | 127 cfs | → |
| Bayou Anacoco Near Rosepine | 803 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bear Creek No 1.
Boat launches
- Charles Breaux Road Calcasieu Parish
- Calcasieu Parish
- Gahagan Lane Calcasieu Parish
- Seal Valley Lane Calcasieu Parish
- Miller Avenue 1800, Calcasieu Parish
Track Bear Creek No 1 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 Bear Creek No 1
Where does the data for Bear Creek No 1 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 Bear Creek No 1.