Poverty Point Reservoir Dam

About Poverty Point Reservoir Dam

The primary purpose of Poverty Point Reservoir Dam 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 State Of Louisiana (state). It impounds the Bayou Macon near Delhi.

The dam stands 44 feet tall and stretches 27,000 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 2,460 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 31,000 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 6 square miles. Completed in 1998, the structure is 28 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 10/01/2024.

At 44 feet, this dam is taller than 90% 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.

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