Lake Claiborne dam
Lake Claiborne
Lake Claiborne, located in Claiborne, Louisiana, is a stunning reservoir with a primary purpose of water supply. Managed by the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, this earth dam stands at a height of 70 feet and has a maximum storage capacity of 200,000 acre-feet. With a surface area of 6,300 acres and a normal storage capacity of 99,500 acre-feet, Lake Claiborne is a vital resource for the surrounding area.
Constructed in 1966, Lake Claiborne spans over the Bayou Darbonne and covers a drainage area of 133 square miles. The reservoir boasts a spillway width of 194 feet and features slide gates as outlet controls. Despite being classified as having a high hazard potential, the dam is currently in fair condition according to its last inspection in June 2020. With its picturesque surroundings and critical role in water supply, Lake Claiborne is a must-visit destination for water resource and climate enthusiasts looking to appreciate the importance of sustainable water management practices.
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 Lake Claiborne -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little Corney Bayou Near Lillie | 200 cfs | → |
| Bayou Dorcheat Near Springhill | 77 cfs | → |
| Saline Bayou Near Lucky | 45 cfs | → |
| Smackover Creek Near Smackover | 62 cfs | → |
| Red Chute Bayou At Sligo | 54 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Claiborne.
Boat launches
- Simmon Hole Road Union Parish
- Hog Pen Road Union Parish
- State Park Ranger Road Union Parish
- Dogwood Lane Union Parish
- State Route 2 Farmerville
Campgrounds
- Lake Claiborne State Park
- Turkey Trot Complex
- Valhalla - Motorcycle Only
- Bucktail Camp Complex
- Bucktail Hunter Camp
- South Shore Campground And Day Use Area
Fishing spots
Track Lake Claiborne 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 Lake Claiborne
Where does the data for Lake Claiborne 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 High 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 Lake Claiborne.