Sanctuary Lake Dam Reservoir Report

Last Updated: December 11, 2025

Sanctuary Lake Dam, located in Canton, Mississippi, was completed in 1966 and is owned privately.


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Summary

It serves primarily for recreational purposes, offering a serene environment for water resource and climate enthusiasts to enjoy. The dam is an earth buttress type structure with a height of 25 feet and a hydraulic height of 18 feet, providing a storage capacity of 1398 acre-feet and covering a surface area of 77 acres.

Managed by the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, the dam is state regulated and inspected regularly to ensure its structural integrity. The condition assessment as of December 2019 deemed it satisfactory, with a significant hazard potential. Despite its uncontrolled spillway type, the dam's risk assessment is moderate, with a dedicated emergency action plan in place. With its scenic location on the Unt of Panther Creek, Sanctuary Lake Dam offers a unique blend of beauty and functionality for visitors to appreciate and explore.

Year Completed

1966

Dam Length

1900

Dam Height

25

River Or Stream

UNT OF PANTHER CREEK

Primary Dam Type

Earth

Surface Area

77

Hydraulic Height

18

Drainage Area

0.56

Nid Storage

1398

Outlet Gates

None

Hazard Potential

Significant

Foundations

Soil

Nid Height

25
       
Seasonal Comparison

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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. Note: Rare or extreme event is defined by the regulatory agency based on their minimum
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. Investigations and studies are necessary.
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.
Not Available
Dams for which the condition assessment is restricted to approved government users.

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, environment 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.
Not Available
Dams for which the downstream hazard potential is restricted to approved government users.