Ben Johnson Dam
Ben Johnson Dam is an earth dam located in De Soto Parish, Louisiana, built in 1933. It carries a Low hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Ben Johnson Dam
The primary purpose of Ben Johnson Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Nabors Properties (private). It impounds the Bayou Na Bonchase near Mansfield.
The dam stands 10 feet tall and stretches 550 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 9 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 77 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1933, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.
This dam has a low hazard potential classification, meaning that failure would cause minimal damage, limited primarily to the dam owner's property, with no expected loss of life. Its condition is rated fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. The most recent inspection on record was 03/04/2021.
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Location
| State | Louisiana |
| County | De Soto |
| Nearest City | Mansfield |
| River/Stream | Bayou Na Bonchase |
| Coordinates | 32.04900, -93.72200 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 10 ft |
| Dam Height | 10 ft |
| Dam Length | 550 ft |
| Year Completed | 1933 (93 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 77 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 77 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 52 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 9 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 350 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | Nabors Properties |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Low |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 03/04/2021 |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | LA00486 |
| Federal ID | LA00486 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |