Black Bayou Dam
Black Bayou Dam is an earth dam located in Caddo Parish, Louisiana, built in 1955. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Black Bayou Dam
The primary purpose of Black Bayou Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Black Bayou Watershed Commission (local government). It impounds the Black Bayou near Hosston.
The dam stands 36 feet tall and stretches 1,400 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 3,860 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 46,500 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 231 square miles. Completed in 1955, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.
This dam has a significant hazard potential classification, meaning that a failure could cause significant economic damage — flooding roads, bridges, or property downstream — but is not expected to result in loss of life. Its condition is rated poor, meaning the dam has recognized safety deficiencies that require remediation to address risks. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 10/22/2024.
At 36 feet, this dam is taller than 83% of dams nationwide.
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Location
| State | Louisiana |
| County | Caddo |
| Nearest City | Hosston |
| River/Stream | Black Bayou |
| Coordinates | 32.88236, -93.89503 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 36 ft |
| Dam Height | 20 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,400 ft |
| Year Completed | 1955 (71 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 46,500 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 46,500 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 17,750 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 3,860 acres |
| Drainage Area | 231 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 19,600 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | Black Bayou Watershed Commission |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 10/22/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | LA00003 |
| Federal ID | LA00003 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |