Sanderson Lake Dam dam
Sanderson Lake Dam
Sanderson Lake Dam, located in Richton, Mississippi, is a privately owned structure with a primary purpose of recreation. Built in 1948, this earth-type dam stands at a height of 12 feet and has a storage capacity of 72 acre-feet. The dam is regulated by the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality and is inspected and enforced regularly to ensure its safety and compliance with state regulations.
The dam, designed by the USDA NRCS, is associated with the Hollis Creek and has an uncontrolled spillway. Despite being rated as having a low hazard potential, the risk assessment for Sanderson Lake Dam is moderate. With its unique design features and historical significance, the dam provides a valuable recreational resource for the local community and serves as a reminder of the importance of water resource management in the face of changing climate conditions. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Sanderson Lake Dam offers a fascinating case study in dam construction, regulation, and risk management in the state of Mississippi.
Overall, Sanderson Lake Dam is a noteworthy structure that combines elements of natural resource conservation and recreational enjoyment. Its design by the Natural Resources Conservation Service reflects a commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. As water resources and climate continue to be key areas of concern, the management and maintenance of dams like Sanderson Lake Dam play a crucial role in ensuring the safety and well-being of communities and ecosystems. By understanding the complexities of dam infrastructure and regulation, enthusiasts can gain valuable insights into the intersection of water resources and climate resilience.
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 Sanderson Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Bogue Homo Nr Richton | 556 cfs | → |
| Chickasawhay River Nr Waynesboro | 1,000 cfs | → |
| Tallahala Creek At Laurel | 17 cfs | → |
| Tallahala Creek Nr Runnelstown | 93 cfs | → |
| Leaf River Nr New Augusta | 1,980 cfs | → |
| Leaf River Nr Mclain | 2,560 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sanderson Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Wayne County
- Johnny Paul Davis Road 1, Wayne County
- Ms 15 Beaumont
- Shabuta Hanging Bridge Clarke County
- Highway 11 Petal
- James Duncan Arrington Memorial Highway Jones County
Campgrounds
Paddle runs
- Begins Approximately 2 River Miles Downstream From The Yellowhouse Branch Confluence With The Escatawpa River Near The Town Of Deer Park, Alabama To Ends Approximately 1 River Mile Upstream From The U.S. Highway 98 Bridge
- The Confluence With Scarsborough Creek To The Confluence With The Escatawpa River
- Begins Approximately 1 River Mile Upstream From The U.S. Highway 98 Bridge To The Jackson County Route 614 Bridge
- The Jackson County Route 614 Bridge To Ends Approximately 2 River Miles From The Southern Terminus Of The Study Area
Track Sanderson Lake 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 Sanderson Lake Dam
Where does the data for Sanderson Lake 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 Sanderson Lake Dam.