Simonton Dam dam
Simonton Dam
Simonton Dam in Louisiana, completed in 2013, stands as a testament to private ownership and state regulation for recreational purposes. This Earth dam, with a height of 40 feet and a length of 1150 feet, spans an unnamed creek in Lincoln County. Its primary purpose is recreation, offering a storage capacity of 235 acre-feet and a surface area of 9.8 acres for water enthusiasts to enjoy.
Despite its low hazard potential and fair condition assessment, Simonton Dam is subject to regular inspections by the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development. The dam's spillway, with a width of 15 feet, is uncontrolled, and the structure includes buttress and stone cores on a soil foundation. With a moderate risk assessment rating, the dam is equipped with needle outlet gates, ready to manage a maximum discharge of 195 cubic feet per second in case of emergencies.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Simonton Dam's location in Vienna, Louisiana, offers a glimpse into the intricate balance between human-made infrastructure and natural water systems. Its design and function not only provide recreational opportunities but also highlight the importance of regulatory oversight and risk management in maintaining the safety and integrity of water-related structures.
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 Simonton Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little Corney Bayou Near Lillie | 257 cfs | → |
| Saline Bayou Near Lucky | 243 cfs | → |
| Dugdemona River Near Joyce | 36 cfs | → |
| Bayou Lafourche Near Crew Lake | 5,570 cfs | → |
| Bayou Dorcheat Near Springhill | 65 cfs | → |
| Red Chute Bayou At Sligo | 235 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Simonton Dam.
Boat launches
- State Park Ranger Road Union Parish
- Simmon Hole Road Union Parish
- Hog Pen Road Union Parish
- Dogwood Lane Union Parish
- State Route 2 Farmerville
Track Simonton 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 Simonton Dam
Where does the data for Simonton 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 Simonton Dam.