Russell B. Long Lock And Dam dam
Russell B. Long Lock And Dam
Russell B. Long Lock and Dam, located in Powhatan, Louisiana, on the Red River, is a federal structure managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Completed in 1995 for the primary purpose of navigation, this gravity dam stands at 110 feet tall and spans 681 feet in length. With a hydraulic height of 58 feet, it boasts a controlled spillway width of 300 feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 227,400 cubic feet per second.
This significant dam, with a storage capacity of 70,500 acre-feet, serves multiple purposes, including navigation, recreation, and water supply. Its risk assessment is classified as very high, prompting the USACE to implement rigorous risk management measures to ensure the dam's structural integrity and address flood risks associated with severe weather events. Regular maintenance, monitoring, and emergency action planning are key strategies employed to mitigate potential hazards and safeguard the surrounding community.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, the Russell B. Long Lock and Dam offers a fascinating glimpse into the intricate balance between water management, infrastructure, and environmental protection. With its strategic location on the Red River and crucial role in navigation and flood control, this federal structure exemplifies the careful planning and proactive measures needed to sustainably manage water resources in a changing climate.
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 Russell B. Long Lock And Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Bayou Pierre Near Lake End | 187 cfs | → |
| Bayou San Patricio Near Benson | 287 cfs | → |
| Saline Bayou Near Lucky | 243 cfs | → |
| Dugdemona River Near Joyce | 36 cfs | → |
| Bayou Grand Cane Near Stanley | · | → |
| Red Chute Bayou At Sligo | 235 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Russell B. Long Lock And Dam.
Track Russell B. Long Lock And 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 Russell B. Long Lock And Dam
Where does the data for Russell B. Long Lock And 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 Russell B. Long Lock And Dam.