Ballas Dam dam
Ballas Dam
Ballas Dam, located in Carroll, Mississippi, was completed in 1997 and serves as a recreational water resource in the area. The dam is privately owned and regulated by the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality. With a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating, the dam provides a safe environment for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and wildlife observation.
The earth-type dam stands at a height of 19 feet and has a length of 876 feet, with a storage capacity of 288 acre-feet. The dam's spillway is uncontrolled, allowing for controlled release of water during high flow events. Despite not being rated for condition assessment, the dam is regularly inspected, meeting state regulatory requirements for inspection, enforcement, and permitting. The surrounding area offers 20 acres of surface water and a drainage area of 0.28 square miles, providing a serene setting for outdoor enthusiasts and climate enthusiasts alike to enjoy.
Ballas Dam's location within the Mobile District of the US Army Corps of Engineers ensures that it meets federal guidelines and standards for dam safety. With its primary purpose being recreation, the dam offers a safe and enjoyable environment for visitors to appreciate the intersection of water resources and climate dynamics. As a vital part of the local ecosystem, Ballas Dam contributes to the conservation and sustainable management of water resources in Mississippi, making it a valuable asset for both the community and the environment.
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 Ballas Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Big Black River At West | 1,470 cfs | → |
| Batupan Bogue At Grenada | 271 cfs | → |
| Yalobusha River At Grenada | 169 cfs | → |
| Abiaca Creek At Cruger | 44 cfs | → |
| Yockanookany River Nr Kosciusko | 81 cfs | → |
| Tallahatchie River At Money | 1,340 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Ballas Dam.
Track Ballas 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 Ballas Dam
Where does the data for Ballas 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 Ballas Dam.