Williams Lake Dam dam
Williams Lake Dam
Williams Lake Dam, located in Cullen, Louisiana, is a privately-owned structure managed by the International Paper Co. This earth dam, completed in 1938, stands at a height of 17 feet and serves primarily for water supply purposes. With a storage capacity of 2754 acre-feet and a surface area of 165 acres, the dam regulates the flow of the TR-Bodcau Bayou, contributing to the local water resources management.
Despite being categorized as having a low hazard potential and fair condition assessment, Williams Lake Dam is subject to regular state inspections, permitting, and enforcement by the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development. The dam's spillway type is listed as "None," suggesting a unique design that may pose challenges in managing high discharge events. Additionally, the dam's risk assessment is classified as high (2), indicating a need for robust risk management measures to ensure the safety of surrounding communities and infrastructure.
With its historical significance dating back over eight decades, Williams Lake Dam remains a vital component of the water infrastructure in Webster Parish, Louisiana. As climate change continues to impact water resources and extreme weather events become more frequent, the proper maintenance and monitoring of this dam will be crucial in safeguarding its integrity and functionality for future generations of water resource and climate enthusiasts.
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 Williams Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Bayou Dorcheat Near Springhill | 18 cfs | → |
| Red River At Spring Bank | 4,400 cfs | → |
| Red Chute Bayou At Sligo | 263 cfs | → |
| Sulphur Rv Nr Texarkana | 921 cfs | → |
| Big Cypress Ck Abv Sh 43 Nr Karnack | 161 cfs | → |
| Little Corney Bayou Near Lillie | 16 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Williams Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- State Route 2 Bossier Parish
- Ar 160 Miller County
- Us 71 Miller County
- Mercer Bayou Boat Ramp
- Miller County
- County Road 109 Miller County
Campgrounds
- Frank Anthony Rv Park
- Highway 157 Primitive
- Teague Lake Primitive
- Ivan Lake
- South Abutment East
- Turtle Slide
Fishing spots
Track Williams Lake 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 Williams Lake Dam
Where does the data for Williams Lake 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 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 Williams Lake Dam.