Spells Pond dam
Spells Pond
Spells Pond, located in St. Tammany, Louisiana, is a private fish and wildlife pond that also serves as a recreational area. Built in 1973, this earth dam structure stands at a height of 10 feet and has a storage capacity of 120 acre-feet. With a surface area of 15 acres and a drainage area of 0.15 square miles, Spells Pond is a vital resource for the local ecosystem and community.
Managed by the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, Spells Pond has a low hazard potential and is deemed to be in fair condition as of the last inspection in November 2018. The pond features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 30 feet, allowing for controlled discharge in case of excess water. Although the risk assessment for Spells Pond is moderate, it continues to be a valuable asset for both wildlife conservation and recreational activities in the area.
The pond's location along the TR-BOGUE FALAYA river and its proximity to the city of St. Tammany make Spells Pond a significant water resource for the region. Climate and water enthusiasts can appreciate the careful management and maintenance of this dam structure, ensuring its continued functionality and benefit to the surrounding environment.
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 Spells Pond -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Tchefuncta River Near Folsom | 187 cfs | → |
| Bogue Chitto River Near Bush | 4,410 cfs | → |
| Tangipahoa River At Robert | 1,900 cfs | → |
| Pearl River Near Bogalusa | 14,900 cfs | → |
| Natalbany River At Baptist | 174 cfs | → |
| West Hobolochitto Creek Nr Mcneill | 522 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Spells Pond.
Boat launches
- East Independence Street 798, Covington
- Water Street Covington
- St. Tammany Parish
- Main Street 2239, Madisonville
- Walkiah Bluff Road 521, Pearl River County
- Bayou Lacombe Boat Launch
Track Spells Pond 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 Spells Pond
Where does the data for Spells Pond 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 Spells Pond.