Loch Mcwilliams Dam dam
Loch Mcwilliams Dam
Loch Mcwilliams Dam, located in Covington, Louisiana, is a privately owned structure designed by Willis Palmer and completed in 1983. This earth dam, standing at 24 feet tall with a hydraulic height of 18 feet, serves as a vital resource for fish and wildlife in the area. With a storage capacity of 700 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 530 acre-feet, the dam covers a surface area of 59 acres and has a drainage area of 0.73 square miles.
The dam's spillway, characterized as uncontrolled with a width of 40 feet, is designed to handle a maximum discharge of 1950 cubic feet per second. The structure has been modified in 2012 for structural improvements, ensuring its continued functionality for fire protection, small fish ponds, and recreational purposes. Despite being classified as having a significant hazard potential, Loch Mcwilliams Dam is currently assessed as being in fair condition as of the last inspection in June 2018.
With its strategic location on the TR-Bills Creek, Loch Mcwilliams Dam plays a crucial role in water resource management in St. Tammany County. As a popular spot for fishing and wildlife observation, the dam's importance extends beyond its primary purpose as a fish and wildlife pond. By adhering to state regulations and undergoing regular inspections, the dam continues to be a valuable asset for the community, contributing to both environmental conservation and recreational opportunities.
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 Loch Mcwilliams Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Tchefuncta River Near Folsom | 497 cfs | → |
| Bogue Chitto River Near Bush | 9,270 cfs | → |
| Tangipahoa River At Robert | 3,750 cfs | → |
| Pearl River Near Bogalusa | 17,400 cfs | → |
| West Hobolochitto Creek Nr Mcneill | 983 cfs | → |
| Natalbany River At Baptist | 290 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Loch Mcwilliams Dam.
Boat launches
- East Independence Street 798, Covington
- Water Street Covington
- St. Tammany Parish
- Main Street 2239, Madisonville
- Walkiah Bluff Road 521, Pearl River County
- Burnt Bridge Road Pearl River County
Track Loch Mcwilliams 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 Loch Mcwilliams Dam
Where does the data for Loch Mcwilliams 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 Significant 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 Loch Mcwilliams Dam.