Alvin Gray Dam dam
Alvin Gray Dam
Located in Beauregard, Louisiana, the Alvin Gray Dam is a private-owned structure on the Big Branch river, completed in 1986 for recreational purposes. Standing at 15 feet high with a hydraulic height of 8 feet, the dam spans 493 feet in length and has a storage capacity of 57 acre-feet. With a surface area of 7.6 acres and a low hazard potential, the dam is regulated and inspected by the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, ensuring its safety and fair condition.
The Alvin Gray Dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 80 feet and is situated in a scenic location, making it a popular spot for outdoor enthusiasts looking to enjoy water-based recreational activities. The dam's moderate risk assessment and regular inspection schedule highlight the commitment to maintaining its integrity and ensuring public safety. With its earth and stone core construction, the Alvin Gray Dam serves as both a functional structure for water resource management and a picturesque destination for visitors seeking a peaceful retreat in nature.
As part of the New Orleans District, the Alvin Gray Dam plays a crucial role in managing water flow and providing a tranquil environment for recreation in the area. The dam's association with the Big Branch river and its low hazard potential showcase the balance between conservation and public enjoyment, making it a valuable asset for both water resource and climate enthusiasts. With its consistent inspections and fair condition assessment, the Alvin Gray Dam stands as a testament to responsible dam management and environmental stewardship in Louisiana.
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 Alvin Gray Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Bundick Ck Nr De Ridder | 321 cfs | → |
| Bayou Anacoco Near Rosepine | 803 cfs | → |
| Whiskey Chitto Creek Near Oberlin | 413 cfs | → |
| Calcasieu River Near Oberlin | 741 cfs | → |
| Calcasieu River Near Kinder | 1,180 cfs | → |
| Sabine Rv Nr Bon Wier | 1,440 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Alvin Gray Dam.
Track Alvin Gray 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 Alvin Gray Dam
Where does the data for Alvin Gray 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 Alvin Gray Dam.