Bayou Darbonne Dam And Reservoir
Bayou Darbonne Dam And Reservoir is an earth dam located in Union Parish, Louisiana, built in 1961. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Bayou Darbonne Dam And Reservoir
The primary purpose of Bayou Darbonne Dam And Reservoir is water supply. The dam stores water for municipal, industrial, or agricultural use, helping ensure a reliable supply for the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Bayou Darbonne Watershed District (local government). It impounds the Bayou Darbonne near Farmerville.
The dam stands 54 feet tall and stretches 2,450 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 15,250 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 240,000 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1,585 square miles. Completed in 1961, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.
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 11/12/2024.
At 54 feet, this dam is taller than 94% 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.
Location
| State | Louisiana |
| County | Union |
| Nearest City | Farmerville |
| River/Stream | Bayou Darbonne |
| Coordinates | 32.71231, -92.34083 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 54 ft |
| Dam Height | 54 ft |
| Dam Length | 2,450 ft |
| Year Completed | 1961 (65 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 240,000 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 240,000 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 130,000 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 15,250 acres |
| Drainage Area | 1,585 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 93,500 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Bayou DArbonne Watershed District |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 11/12/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | LA00015 |
| Federal ID | LA00015 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |