Oak Lake Dam dam
Oak Lake Dam
Oak Lake Dam, located in Pearl, Mississippi, stands as a testament to both engineering ingenuity and a commitment to recreation. Completed in 1950, this earth dam with a buttress core spans 500 feet in length and reaches a height of 16 feet, holding back the waters of Terrapin Skin Creek. With a storage capacity of 78 acre-feet and a surface area of 6.8 acres, Oak Lake Dam provides a serene oasis for water enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.
Managed by a private entity and regulated by the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, Oak Lake Dam boasts a high hazard potential but is currently assessed as being in fair condition. Regular inspections ensure its safety, with the last assessment in December 2020. Despite its moderate risk rating, the dam continues to offer recreational opportunities to visitors, with fishing, boating, and wildlife observation available on its tranquil waters.
As climate and water resource enthusiasts explore the significance of dams in managing water flow and providing recreational benefits, Oak Lake Dam stands as a prime example of balancing human needs with environmental considerations. With its historical significance, engineering design, and recreational offerings, Oak Lake Dam remains a vital piece of Mississippi's water infrastructure and a beloved destination for locals and tourists alike.
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 Oak Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Pearl River At Jackson | 2,430 cfs | → |
| Hanging Moss Creek Nr Jackson | 203 cfs | → |
| Lynch Creek At Jackson | 207 cfs | → |
| Strong River At D`Lo | 129 cfs | → |
| Big Black River Nr Bentonia | 776 cfs | → |
| Pearl River Nr Rockport | 5,700 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Oak Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Spillway Road Rankin County
- East River Road Rankin County
- West River Road Jackson
- Fannin Landing Circle Rankin County
- Madison Landing Circle 101, Ridgeland
- Browns Landing Road Madison County
Track Oak 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 Oak Lake Dam
Where does the data for Oak 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 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 Oak Lake Dam.