Ferrells Bridge Dam dam
Ferrells Bridge Dam
Ferrells Bridge Dam, also known as Lake O' The Pines, is a federal structure located in Jefferson, Texas. Completed in 1958 by the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), the dam serves multiple purposes including flood risk reduction, water supply, recreation, and fish and wildlife pond management. With a height of 97 feet and a length of 10,600 feet, the dam has a storage capacity of nearly 2 million acre-feet, making it a crucial infrastructure for managing water resources in the region.
Despite its importance in reducing the risk of flooding to downstream communities, Ferrells Bridge Dam still poses a moderate risk due to potential high-volume releases and the possibility of dam failure during extreme flood events. However, USACE has implemented various risk management measures to ensure public safety, including conducting emergency exercises, updating the Emergency Action Plan, and maintaining detailed inspections and monitoring systems. These proactive steps aim to minimize the likelihood of dam failure and mitigate any potential impacts on surrounding infrastructure and communities downstream, such as Shreveport and Alexandria, Louisiana.
Overall, Ferrells Bridge Dam plays a vital role in water resource management and flood risk reduction in the region. By implementing robust risk management measures and maintaining regular inspections, USACE is working to ensure the structural integrity of the dam and protect downstream communities from the potential impacts of dam failure.
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 Ferrells Bridge Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Big Cypress Ck Nr Jefferson | 17 cfs | → |
| Black Cypress Bayou At Jefferson | 77 cfs | → |
| Little Cypress Ck Nr Jefferson | 140 cfs | → |
| Little Cypress Ck Nr Ore City | 104 cfs | → |
| Big Cypress Ck Abv Sh 43 Nr Karnack | 212 cfs | → |
| Sabine Rv Abv Longview | 351 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Ferrells Bridge Dam.
Boat launches
- Marion County
- Big Cypress Marina Road 1500, Jefferson
- Pops Landing Road Marion County
- East Dallas Street 100, Jefferson
Campgrounds
- Buckhorn Creek Campground
- Buckhorn Creek - Lake Of The Pines
- Brushy Creek - Lake Of The Pines
- Hurricane Creek - Lake Of The Pines
- Johnson Creek - Lake Of The Pines
- Alley Creek - Lake Of The Pines
Fishing spots
Track Ferrells Bridge 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 Ferrells Bridge Dam
Where does the data for Ferrells Bridge 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 Ferrells Bridge Dam.