Mirror Lake dam
Mirror Lake
Mirror Lake, located in Loranger, Louisiana, is a privately owned reservoir built in 1938 for recreational purposes. The dam, standing at 9 feet high and spanning 486 feet in length, holds a maximum storage capacity of 105 acre-feet. The lake covers an area of 14 acres and is fed by the Bailey Branch river. Despite its low hazard potential and fair condition assessment, the dam is regulated by the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, ensuring the safety and maintenance of this water resource.
With its picturesque surroundings and ample recreational opportunities, Mirror Lake serves as a popular destination for water enthusiasts in Tangipahoa County. Boasting a spillway width of 86 feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 803 cubic feet per second, the lake provides a tranquil escape for fishing, boating, and other leisure activities. The dam's earth construction, supported by buttress and stone cores, underscores its resilience and structural integrity in the face of Louisiana's climate challenges.
As climate change continues to impact water resources across the country, Mirror Lake stands as a testament to sustainable water management practices. With a moderate risk assessment score and regular inspections since 2016, the dam serves as a vital asset in the region's water infrastructure. As water resource and climate enthusiasts alike flock to this serene oasis, Mirror Lake remains a symbol of natural beauty and human ingenuity in the face of environmental uncertainty.
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 Mirror Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Tchefuncta River Near Folsom | 120 cfs | → |
| Tangipahoa River At Robert | 797 cfs | → |
| Natalbany River At Baptist | 80 cfs | → |
| Tickfaw River At Holden | 217 cfs | → |
| Bogue Chitto River Near Bush | 1,390 cfs | → |
| Tangipahoa River At Osyka | 146 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Mirror Lake.
Boat launches
- East Independence Street 798, Covington
- Water Street Covington
- St. Tammany Parish
- Main Street 2239, Madisonville
- I 55;Us 51 Tangipahoa Parish
- Parish Road 51 30160, Tangipahoa Parish
Track Mirror 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 Mirror Lake
Where does the data for Mirror 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 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 Mirror Lake.