John Moore Dam dam
John Moore Dam
John Moore Dam, located in Vernon, Louisiana, is a privately owned structure regulating the flow of Castor Creek. This earth dam, standing at 12 feet in height and stretching 995 feet in length, serves primarily for recreational purposes. With a storage capacity of 750 acre-feet and a surface area of 62.5 acres, the dam is designed with buttress and stone cores supported by a soil foundation. Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential, the dam's condition assessment remains unrated as of its last inspection in February 2003.
Managed by the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, John Moore Dam is subject to state regulation, inspection, and enforcement. Although the dam poses a moderate risk, with a risk assessment rating of 3 out of 5, it does not fall under the jurisdiction of the US Army Corps of Engineers. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway and has no associated locks or outlet gates. While it has not undergone any modifications since its completion, the structure's emergency action plan status, inundation maps, and risk management measures are not explicitly documented as of the latest data update in April 2021.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts intrigued by the intricate details of dam infrastructure will find John Moore Dam to be an interesting case study. Its location in the picturesque setting of Jackson, Louisiana, along with its unique design elements, storage capacity, and risk profile, offer a compelling narrative for those interested in the intersection of water management, engineering, and environmental stewardship. The dam's historical background, maintenance practices, and future development potential may also spark discussions on sustainable water resource management strategies in the region.
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 John Moore Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Saline Bayou Near Lucky | 296 cfs | → |
| Dugdemona River Near Joyce | 36 cfs | → |
| Little Corney Bayou Near Lillie | 246 cfs | → |
| Bayou Lafourche Near Crew Lake | 2,290 cfs | → |
| Boeuf River Nr Girard | 203 cfs | → |
| Little River Near Rochelle | 412 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near John Moore Dam.
Boat launches
- Ebenezer Church Road 106, Jackson Parish
- Boggy Creek Road Jackson Parish
- Heritage Drive 113, West Monroe
- Spillway Road Union Parish
- Farmerville Spillway Landing
- North Spillway Road Union Parish
Track John Moore 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 John Moore Dam
Where does the data for John Moore 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 John Moore Dam.