Little Darbonne Dam dam
Little Darbonne Dam
The Little Darbonne Dam, located in Ouachita, Louisiana, is a private earth dam primarily used for recreation. Completed in 1964, this dam stands at a height of 23 feet and has a hydraulic height of 20 feet. With a length of 500 feet and a storage capacity of 617.5 acre-feet, the dam serves as a popular spot for outdoor activities such as fishing and boating.
Managed by the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, the Little Darbonne Dam has a significant hazard potential but is currently assessed to be in fair condition. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 50 feet, ensuring proper water flow during times of excess rainfall. Despite its moderate risk assessment, the dam remains a key resource for water supply and climate enthusiasts in the region.
With its picturesque location on the TR-North Tupawek Bayou, the Little Darbonne Dam offers a tranquil setting for visitors to enjoy the beauty of nature while engaging in various recreational activities. As a vital infrastructure for water resource management, the dam symbolizes the harmonious coexistence of human civilization and the environment, making it a must-visit destination for those passionate about preserving our natural resources in the face of climate change.
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 Little Darbonne Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Bayou Lafourche Near Crew Lake | 2,290 cfs | → |
| Boeuf River Nr Girard | 203 cfs | → |
| Chemin-A-Haut Byu Nr Beekman | 1 cfs | → |
| Little Corney Bayou Near Lillie | 246 cfs | → |
| Bayou Bartholomew Near Jones | 26 cfs | → |
| Tensas River At Tendal | 1,240 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Little Darbonne Dam.
Boat launches
- Bayou Darbonne Drive Ouachita Parish
- Forsythe Park Boat Launch
- Heritage Drive 113, West Monroe
- Holland Bluff Road Union Parish
- Lake Drain Road Union Parish
- Boardman Avenue Sterlington
Campgrounds
- Lake Darbonne State Park
- Lincoln Parish Park
- Group Camp
- Jimmie Davis State Park
- North Boat Launch
- Chemin - A - Haut State Park
Fishing spots
Track Little Darbonne 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 Little Darbonne Dam
Where does the data for Little Darbonne 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 Significant 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 Little Darbonne Dam.