Lake Bistineau

About Lake Bistineau

The primary purpose of Lake Bistineau is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Webster Parish Police Jury (local government). It impounds the Loggy Bayou near Ringgold.

The dam stands 46 feet tall and stretches 7,635 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 17,200 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 318,000 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1,410 square miles. Completed in 1941, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.

This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. Its condition is rated fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 09/09/2024.

At 46 feet, this dam is taller than 91% of dams nationwide.

Living Downstream

If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The Louisiana dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.

Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.