Bayou Bodcau Dam
Bayou Bodcau Dam is an earth dam located in Bossier Parish, Louisiana, built in 1949. It carries a High hazard potential classification.
About Bayou Bodcau Dam
The primary purpose of Bayou Bodcau Dam is flood risk reduction. The dam is designed to control downstream flooding by temporarily storing excess water during storms and releasing it at a controlled rate. The dam is owned by Usace - Vicksburg District (federal). It impounds the Bayou Bodcau near Bossier City.
The dam stands 76 feet tall and stretches 15,850 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 1 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,197,700 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 655 square miles. Completed in 1949, 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. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 04/10/2021.
At 76 feet, this dam is taller than 97% 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.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | Louisiana |
| County | Bossier |
| Nearest City | Bossier City |
| River/Stream | Bayou Bodcau |
| Coordinates | 32.70456, -93.51401 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 76 ft |
| Dam Length | 15,850 ft |
| Year Completed | 1949 (77 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,197,700 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,197,700 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 1 acres |
| Drainage Area | 655 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 71,300 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | USACE - Vicksburg District |
| Owner Type | Federal |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Not Available |
| Last Inspection | 04/10/2021 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | LA00179 |
| Federal ID | LA00179 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |