Martin Lake Dam dam
Martin Lake Dam
Martin Lake Dam, also known as Billups Dam, is a private dam located in Madison, Mississippi. Managed by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam serves primarily for recreation purposes, with a structural height of 17 feet and a length of 1400 feet. Completed in 2013, the dam has a storage capacity of 120 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 58 acre-feet. It sits on an unnamed river or stream in the Vicksburg District and is regulated by the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality.
Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential, the dam's risk assessment is moderate. It has an uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates, with no associated locks. The condition assessment is currently not rated, and there are no emergency action plans in place. However, the dam has undergone state inspections, permitting, and enforcement, indicating a commitment to safety and regulatory compliance. With its unique design and purpose, Martin Lake Dam stands as a testament to responsible water resource management in Mississippi.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate will find Martin Lake Dam an intriguing example of a private dam contributing to both recreational enjoyment and environmental stewardship. Its location in the heart of Mississippi's natural landscape, coupled with its moderate risk assessment and state regulation, make it a noteworthy site for those interested in the intersection of human infrastructure and ecological preservation. The dam's history, design, and ongoing management serve as a case study in balancing the needs of society with the protection of precious water resources in the face of 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 Martin Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Hanging Moss Creek Nr Jackson | 203 cfs | → |
| Big Black River Nr Bentonia | 776 cfs | → |
| Pearl River At Jackson | 2,430 cfs | → |
| Lynch Creek At Jackson | 207 cfs | → |
| Yockanookany River Nr Ofahoma | 196 cfs | → |
| Pearl River Nr Lena | 1,000 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Martin Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Browns Landing Road Madison County
- Madison Landing Circle 101, Ridgeland
- Fannin Landing Circle Rankin County
- West River Road Jackson
- East River Road Rankin County
- Spillway Road Rankin County
Track Martin Lake 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 Martin Lake Dam
Where does the data for Martin Lake 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 Martin Lake Dam.