Bonita Lake Dam Number 1 dam
Bonita Lake Dam Number 1
Bonita Lake Dam Number 1, located in Meridian, Mississippi, was completed in 1939 and is regulated by the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality. This earth dam stands at a height of 27 feet and serves primarily for recreational purposes, with a storage capacity of 537 acre-feet and a surface area of 54 acres. The dam is situated on the Sowashee Creek, a tributary of the nearby river, and has a high hazard potential due to its condition being assessed as fair.
Despite its age, Bonita Lake Dam Number 1 has undergone regular inspections, with the last one conducted in June 2020. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 20 feet and outlet gates also classified as uncontrolled. In case of emergencies, the dam has an emergency action plan (EAP) in place to ensure the safety of nearby residents and property. Overall, the risk assessment for the dam is moderate, with risk management measures potentially in place to mitigate any potential hazards.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Bonita Lake Dam Number 1 offers a fascinating glimpse into the engineering and management of water infrastructure in Mississippi. Its historical significance, recreational impact, and environmental implications make it a noteworthy site for those interested in the intersection of water resources and climate resilience.
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 Bonita Lake Dam Number 1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Sowashee Creek At Meridian | 85 cfs | → |
| Okatibbee Creek At Arundel | 431 cfs | → |
| Chunky River Nr Chunky | 206 cfs | → |
| Chickasawhay River At Enterprise | 513 cfs | → |
| Sucarnoochee River At Livingston Al | 318 cfs | → |
| Bodka Creek Near Geiger | 15 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bonita Lake Dam Number 1.
Track Bonita Lake Dam Number 1 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 Bonita Lake Dam Number 1
Where does the data for Bonita Lake Dam Number 1 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 High 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 Bonita Lake Dam Number 1.