Oren Bailess Lake dam
Oren Bailess Lake
Oren Bailess Lake, located in Warren County, Mississippi, is a picturesque reservoir created in 1978 primarily for recreational purposes. Managed by the USDA NRCS, this private lake spans a surface area of 67 acres and has a maximum storage capacity of 67 acre-feet. The dam, standing at 42 feet in height, is of earth construction with a stone core and soil foundation, providing a serene backdrop for water resource and climate enthusiasts to enjoy.
Situated along the Big Black River, Oren Bailess Lake boasts an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 60 feet. Despite being designated as a significant hazard potential structure with moderate risk, the dam's condition assessment remains unrated. The surrounding area offers opportunities for outdoor activities such as fishing, boating, and wildlife observation, attracting visitors seeking to unwind in a tranquil natural setting. With its scenic beauty and recreational amenities, Oren Bailess Lake serves as a valuable resource for the local community and beyond, highlighting the importance of sustainable water management practices in the face of evolving climate challenges.
As a key feature within the Vicksburg District, Oren Bailess Lake embodies the harmonious balance between human recreation and environmental preservation. While the dam's inspection and emergency preparedness protocols are not currently rated, efforts to enhance risk management measures may further safeguard this beloved water resource for future generations. By celebrating the beauty of Oren Bailess Lake and recognizing its role in supporting ecological diversity and outdoor recreation, individuals can contribute to the ongoing conversation surrounding water conservation and climate resilience in Mississippi and beyond.
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 Oren Bailess Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Big Black River Nr Bovina | 890 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River At Vicksburg | 565,000 cfs | → |
| Big Black River Nr Bentonia | 776 cfs | → |
| Bayou Pierre Nr Willows | 4,870 cfs | → |
| Lynch Creek At Jackson | 207 cfs | → |
| Pearl River At Jackson | 2,430 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Oren Bailess Lake.
Track Oren Bailess 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 Oren Bailess Lake
Where does the data for Oren Bailess 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 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 Oren Bailess Lake.