Rufus Shaw Lake dam
Rufus Shaw Lake
Rufus Shaw Lake in Hancock, Mississippi, is a private recreational lake that was completed in 1965 by the USDA NRCS. The earth dam stands at 13 feet tall and spans 400 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 92 acre-feet. The lake is situated along the TR- WOLF RIVER and offers a serene escape in the city of BAY ST LOUIS.
Despite its low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment, Rufus Shaw Lake does not have a formal condition assessment on record. The uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates hint at a simpler design, yet the lake remains a popular spot for water resource and climate enthusiasts. With its picturesque setting and peaceful ambiance, this hidden gem in Mississippi is worth exploring for those seeking a tranquil retreat amidst nature.
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 Rufus Shaw Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Wolf River Nr Landon | 203 cfs | → |
| East Hobolochitto Creek Nr Caesar | 68 cfs | → |
| Biloxi River At Wortham | 36 cfs | → |
| West Hobolochitto Creek Nr Mcneill | 117 cfs | → |
| Pearl River Near Bogalusa | 5,700 cfs | → |
| Black Creek Nr Brooklyn | 349 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Rufus Shaw Lake.
Boat launches
- Ms 53 Harrison County
- Menge Avenue Harrison County
- Merlin Necaise Boat Launch
- Cedar Point Boat Launch
- Waveland Ramp
- Gulfport Lake Boat Launch
Campgrounds
- Big Biloxi Rec Area
- Big Biloxi Recreation Area
- Airey Lake
- Mcleod Water Park
- King's Arrow Ranch
- Flint Creek Waterpark
Paddle runs
Track Rufus Shaw 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 Rufus Shaw Lake
Where does the data for Rufus Shaw 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 Rufus Shaw Lake.