Murphy's Lake West End dam
Murphy's Lake West End
Murphy's Lake West End is a private fish and wildlife pond located in Wardens, Richland, Louisiana. Managed by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam was completed in 1960 and stands at a height of 20 feet, with a length of 650 feet. With a storage capacity of 260 acre-feet and a surface area of 44 acres, the dam serves multiple purposes including fire protection, stock maintenance, and recreational activities.
This low hazard potential structure on Bayou Macon is regulated by the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, ensuring that it meets state inspection and enforcement standards. Despite being classified as fair in condition assessment, the dam poses a moderate risk due to its age and the potential for structural issues. With a spillway width of 19 feet and a maximum discharge of 360 cubic feet per second, Murphy's Lake West End is a vital water resource for the surrounding community and a haven for diverse wildlife.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, the conservation and maintenance of Murphy's Lake West End is paramount to sustaining the delicate ecosystem it supports. By adhering to state regulations, conducting regular inspections, and implementing risk management measures, this dam can continue to provide essential water storage and recreational opportunities while minimizing environmental impact. Its significance as a fish and wildlife habitat underscores the importance of preserving and enhancing this vital water resource for future generations to enjoy and appreciate.
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 Murphy's Lake West End -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Tensas River At Tendal | 107 cfs | → |
| Boeuf River Nr Girard | 151 cfs | → |
| Bayou Lafourche Near Crew Lake | 330 cfs | → |
| Bayou Bartholomew Near Jones | 80 cfs | → |
| Bayou Macon Nr Kilbourne | 17 cfs | → |
| Chemin-A-Haut Byu Nr Beekman | 0 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Murphy's Lake West End.
Track Murphy's Lake West End 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 Murphy's Lake West End
Where does the data for Murphy's Lake West End 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 Murphy's Lake West End.