Toledo Bend dam
Toledo Bend
Toledo Bend, located in Sabine, Louisiana, is a captivating hydroelectric dam with a rich history dating back to its completion in 1966. This impressive structure stands at a height of 135 feet and spans 10,350 feet in length, boasting a storage capacity of 5,097,500 acre-feet and a surface area of 182,490 acres. The dam serves multiple purposes, including hydroelectric power generation, navigation, recreation, and water supply, making it a vital resource for the region.
With a maximum discharge of 290,000 cubic feet per second and a controlled spillway width of 440 feet, Toledo Bend is equipped to manage high volumes of water flow effectively. The dam's hazard potential is classified as high, emphasizing the importance of its risk management measures. Despite its age, Toledo Bend maintains a very high risk assessment rating, demonstrating its ongoing commitment to safety and operational excellence.
Owned by the Tribal Government and regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Toledo Bend plays a crucial role in water resource management in the area. Its strategic location on the Sabine River, along with its diverse capabilities and impressive design, solidify its status as a key player in water infrastructure for both climate and water resource enthusiasts alike.
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 Toledo Bend -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Sabine Rv At Toledo Bd Res Nr Burkeville | 328 cfs | → |
| Sabine Rv Nr Burkeville | 557 cfs | → |
| Bayou Toro Near Toro | 48 cfs | → |
| Bayou Anacoco Near Rosepine | 377 cfs | → |
| Big Cow Ck Nr Newton | 62 cfs | → |
| Sabine Rv Nr Bon Wier | 1,350 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Toledo Bend .
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- South Toledo Bend State Park
- Pleasure Point State Rec Area - Toledo Bend Lake
- Toledo Bend Military
- Willow Oak
- Willow Oak: (409) 625-1940
- Lakeview Campground: (409) 625-1940
Fishing spots
Track Toledo Bend 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 Toledo Bend
Where does the data for Toledo Bend 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 Toledo Bend .