Heron Lake dam
Heron Lake
Heron Lake, also known as Whippoorwill Grove No. 3, is a private water resource located in St. Tammany, Louisiana. This reservoir is situated near Simmons Creek and was completed in 1988 for the primary purpose of recreation. The dam, primarily made of earth with buttress and stone core types, stands at a height of 12 feet and has a hydraulic height of 10 feet, providing a storage capacity of 321.6 acre-feet.
Managed by the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, Heron Lake has a low hazard potential and is considered to be in satisfactory condition as of the last inspection in December 2016. The reservoir covers a surface area of 26.8 acres and is equipped with an uncontrolled spillway, 20 feet in width. With its serene location in Bush, Louisiana, Heron Lake offers a tranquil setting for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy various recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and birdwatching.
Despite its moderate risk assessment, Heron Lake remains a popular destination for water and climate enthusiasts seeking a peaceful escape in the heart of nature. With its picturesque surroundings and well-maintained facilities, this private reservoir provides a unique opportunity for visitors to immerse themselves in the beauty of St. Tammany Parish while supporting the importance of water resource conservation and sustainable recreation 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 Heron Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Bogue Chitto River Near Bush | 2,860 cfs | → |
| Pearl River Near Bogalusa | 11,800 cfs | → |
| West Hobolochitto Creek Nr Mcneill | 975 cfs | → |
| Tchefuncta River Near Folsom | 86 cfs | → |
| East Hobolochitto Creek Nr Caesar | 1,110 cfs | → |
| Tangipahoa River At Robert | 1,050 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Heron Lake.
Boat launches
- Walkiah Bluff Road 521, Pearl River County
- East Independence Street 798, Covington
- Water Street Covington
- Burnt Bridge Road Pearl River County
- St. Tammany Parish
- Main Street 2239, Madisonville
Track Heron 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 Heron Lake
Where does the data for Heron 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 Heron Lake.