Brown Lake dam
Brown Lake
Brown Lake in Lafayette, Mississippi, is a private reservoir with a primary purpose for recreation. Built in 1958 by the USDA NRCS, this Earth dam stands at 18 feet tall and spans 710 feet in length, providing a storage capacity of 120 acre-feet. The lake is located in Oxford and is fed by the TR- BURNEY BRANCH stream, managed by the Vicksburg District. With a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment, Brown Lake offers a tranquil setting for water resource and climate enthusiasts to enjoy nature's beauty.
Despite being unregulated and uninspected by the state, Brown Lake remains a popular spot for outdoor activities in the region. The dam's uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates contribute to its relaxed atmosphere, catering mostly to recreational purposes. With a risk management plan in place and a hazard potential deemed low, the lake provides a safe and enjoyable environment for visitors to connect with nature and indulge in water-related activities. For those seeking a serene escape in Lafayette County, Brown Lake offers a picturesque location to appreciate the intersection of water resource management and climate considerations.
Surrounded by the natural beauty of Lafayette, Mississippi, Brown Lake stands as a testament to the harmonious coexistence of human recreation and environmental conservation. Managed by the Natural Resources Conservation Service and funded privately, the lake presents an opportunity for individuals to appreciate the importance of sustainable water resource management in the face of changing climate patterns. As visitors explore the shores of Brown Lake and witness the Earth dam's sturdy construction, they are reminded of the delicate balance required to preserve such aquatic ecosystems for future generations to enjoy.
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 Brown Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Yocona River Nr Oxford | 534 cfs | → |
| Otoucalofa Creek Canal Nr Water Valley | 25 cfs | → |
| Hotopha Creek Nr Batesville | 13 cfs | → |
| Little Tallahatchie River At Etta | 2,340 cfs | → |
| Skuna River At Bruce | 1,880 cfs | → |
| Yalobusha River At Grenada | 578 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Brown Lake.
Track Brown Lake 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 Brown Lake
Where does the data for Brown Lake 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 Brown Lake.