Bayou Bodcau Dam dam
Bayou Bodcau Dam
Bayou Bodcau Dam, also known as Bodcau Lake, is a federal-owned structure in Bossier City, Louisiana, managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers to primarily reduce flood risks along the Bayou Bodcau. Built in 1949, this earth dam stands at a structural height of 76 feet and a hydraulic height of 70 feet, with a total length of 15,850 feet. While the dam greatly mitigates flood risks downstream, there is still a possibility of flooding during extreme storm events. In such cases, the emergency spillway may be activated to prevent overtopping and potential dam failure, leading to flooding in surrounding areas like Bossier City and beyond.
To manage and reduce risks associated with the dam, the US Army Corps of Engineers regularly inspects and assesses Bayou Bodcau Dam. Recent risk management measures include a seepage study and armoring with heavy stone to prevent erosion during spillway activation. The agency also collaborates with various organizations like the National Weather Service, US Geological Survey, and the State of Louisiana Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness to monitor and respond to potential threats. In the event of high-water situations, dam safety professionals increase surveillance to 24 hours a day and are prepared to take immediate action to ensure the dam's safety and optimal operation.
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 Bodcau Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Red Chute Bayou At Sligo | 264 cfs | → |
| Bayou Dorcheat Near Springhill | 16 cfs | → |
| Red River At Spring Bank | 4,250 cfs | → |
| Cypress Bayou Near Keithville | 3 cfs | → |
| Big Cypress Ck Abv Sh 43 Nr Karnack | 156 cfs | → |
| Saline Bayou Near Lucky | 12 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bayou Bodcau Dam.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- South Abutment East
- Ivan Lake
- Cypress Black Bayou Rec Area
- Turtle Slide
- Upper Caney Campground
- Harmon Lake Dam - Barksdale Afb
Fishing spots
Track Bayou Bodcau 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 Bayou Bodcau Dam
Where does the data for Bayou Bodcau 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 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 Bodcau Dam.