Turkey Creek Dam dam
Turkey Creek Dam
Turkey Creek Dam, located in Sicily Island, Louisiana, is a state-regulated earth dam constructed in 1953 by the Louisiana Department of Public Works. The dam, standing at 40 feet high and spanning 4500 feet in length, serves multiple purposes including recreation and water storage for the Turkey Creek river system. With a maximum storage capacity of 85,000 acre-feet and a normal storage of 34,000 acre-feet, the dam covers a surface area of 3845 acres and has a drainage area of 163 square miles.
Despite its low hazard potential, Turkey Creek Dam is currently assessed as unsatisfactory in condition, with an inspection frequency of once per year. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 512 feet and outlet gates consisting of slide (sluice gate) mechanisms. The risk assessment for the dam is moderate (3), indicating potential challenges that may require further risk management measures. Although the dam is operated by the state of Louisiana, it is not owned or funded by any federal agency.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in Turkey Creek Dam will find its design and construction details, storage capacities, and risk assessment information intriguing. As a significant structure in the Turkey Creek watershed, the dam plays a crucial role in flood control, water supply, and recreational activities in the region. With its unique features and current condition assessment, Turkey Creek Dam presents an opportunity for further research and monitoring to ensure its long-term safety and effectiveness in water resource management.
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 Turkey Creek Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little River Near Rochelle | 412 cfs | → |
| Boeuf River Nr Girard | 203 cfs | → |
| Bayou Lafourche Near Crew Lake | 2,290 cfs | → |
| Tensas River At Tendal | 1,240 cfs | → |
| Big Creek At Pollock | 17 cfs | → |
| Dugdemona River Near Joyce | 36 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Turkey Creek Dam.
Track Turkey Creek 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 Turkey Creek Dam
Where does the data for Turkey Creek 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 Turkey Creek Dam.