Brown Lake Dam dam
Brown Lake Dam
Brown Lake Dam, located in Kernan, Beauregard, Louisiana, is a private earth dam constructed in 1960 by the USDA NRCS. The dam, standing at a height of 13 feet and with a length of 1000 feet, serves multiple purposes including fire protection, stock, small fish pond, recreation, and water supply. It has a storage capacity of 460 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 42 acres, with a drainage area of 0.94 square miles.
Despite its low hazard potential, the dam's condition assessment is marked as poor, with the last inspection conducted in May 2016. The spillway, which is uncontrolled and 50 feet wide, can handle a maximum discharge of 126 cubic feet per second. The risk assessment for Brown Lake Dam is moderate, indicating a potential for issues that may require attention. The dam is regulated by the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development and is subject to state permitting, inspection, and enforcement.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in Brown Lake Dam would find it to be a significant structure in the Cowpen Creek watershed. The dam's location and design make it a crucial asset for various water-related activities in the area. However, its current condition and risk assessment suggest that there may be challenges that need to be addressed to ensure the long-term safety and functionality of the dam. With proper maintenance and oversight, Brown Lake Dam can continue to serve its multiple purposes effectively for the community and the environment.
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 Brown Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Bundick Ck Nr De Ridder | 321 cfs | → |
| Sabine Rv Nr Bon Wier | 1,440 cfs | → |
| Bayou Anacoco Near Rosepine | 803 cfs | → |
| Calcasieu River Near Kinder | 1,180 cfs | → |
| Whiskey Chitto Creek Near Oberlin | 413 cfs | → |
| Sabine Rv Nr Ruliff | 1,880 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Brown Lake Dam.
Track Brown Lake 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 Brown Lake Dam
Where does the data for Brown Lake 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 Brown Lake Dam.