Joe Long Ponds dam
Joe Long Ponds
Joe Long Ponds is a privately owned earth dam in Belzoni, Mississippi, designed by the USDA NRCS and completed in 1965. With a dam height of 8 feet and a storage capacity of 2200 acre-feet, it serves as a crucial water resource on the TR-Yazoo River. Despite being unregulated by the state, the dam poses a significant hazard potential and has a moderate risk assessment rating.
This uncontrolled spillway dam plays a vital role in managing water flow and storage in the region, with a maximum discharge capacity of 10 cubic feet per second. While the condition of Joe Long Ponds is currently not rated, its risk assessment indicates the need for ongoing monitoring and potentially implementing risk management measures to ensure the safety and stability of the structure. As a prominent feature in the Vicksburg District, this dam is of interest to water resource and climate enthusiasts for its impact on the local hydrology and ecosystem.
Located in Leflore County, Mississippi, Joe Long Ponds stands as a testament to the intersection of human engineering and environmental conservation efforts. As a key component of the region's water infrastructure, this earth dam serves multiple purposes beyond flood control, showcasing the importance of sustainable water management practices in mitigating the effects of climate change. Despite its significant hazard potential, Joe Long Ponds remains an essential asset for the community, highlighting the delicate balance between human development and environmental stewardship in the face of evolving climate challenges.
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 Joe Long Ponds -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Abiaca Creek At Cruger | 44 cfs | → |
| Harland Creek Nr Howard | 3,340 cfs | → |
| Big Sunflower River At Sunflower | 42 cfs | → |
| Tallahatchie River At Money | 650 cfs | → |
| Bogue Phalia Nr Leland | 14 cfs | → |
| Big Black River At West | 226 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Joe Long Ponds.
Fishing spots
Track Joe Long Ponds 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 Joe Long Ponds
Where does the data for Joe Long Ponds 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 Joe Long Ponds.