Bonchasse Dam dam
Bonchasse Dam
Bonchasse Dam, located in De Soto, Louisiana, is a privately owned structure designed by the USDA NRCS for the primary purpose of creating a Fish and Wildlife Pond. Completed in 2002, this earth dam stands at a height of 30 feet and has a storage capacity of 564 acre-feet, providing essential resources for local wildlife and recreational activities. The dam also serves as a critical component in water management, with a low hazard potential and fair condition assessment.
Managed by the Louisiana DOTD, Bonchasse Dam is situated on the Little Bayou Na Bonchasse, with a drainage area of 0.55 square miles and a maximum discharge capacity of 2365 cubic feet per second. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 150 feet, ensuring proper water flow management during times of excess. Despite its moderate risk rating, the dam has undergone regular inspections, with the last assessment conducted in October 2016, highlighting its commitment to safety and structural integrity.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Bonchasse Dam presents a fascinating case study in sustainable water management and habitat preservation. As a vital structure for both wildlife and recreational use, the dam exemplifies the importance of balancing human needs with environmental conservation. With ongoing monitoring and risk management measures in place, Bonchasse Dam stands as a testament to responsible dam construction and operation in the face of changing climate dynamics and water resource challenges.
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 Bonchasse Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cypress Bayou Near Keithville | 67 cfs | → |
| Bayou San Patricio Near Benson | 39 cfs | → |
| Bayou Grand Cane Near Stanley | · | → |
| Red Chute Bayou At Sligo | 259 cfs | → |
| Bayou Pierre Near Lake End | 26 cfs | → |
| Sabine Rv Nr Carthage | 7,250 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bonchasse Dam.
Track Bonchasse 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 Bonchasse Dam
Where does the data for Bonchasse 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 Bonchasse Dam.