Toledo Bend

About Toledo Bend

The primary purpose of Toledo Bend is hydroelectric. The dam generates hydroelectric power by channeling water through turbines, converting the energy of flowing water into electricity. The dam is owned by Sabine River Authority Of Texas And Sabine River Authority, State Of Louisiana (authorities) (state). It impounds the Sabine near Burr Ferry, La.

The dam stands 135 feet tall and stretches 10,350 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 182,490 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 5,097,500 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 7,190 square miles. Completed in 1966, 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 satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 05/10/2022.

At 135 feet, this dam is taller than 99% of all dams in the United States.

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.

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