Big Sand Watershed Structure Y-32-17 Dam
Big Sand Watershed Structure Y-32-17 Dam is an earth dam located in Carroll County, Mississippi, built in 1966. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a unsatisfactory condition assessment.
About Big Sand Watershed Structure Y-32-17 Dam
The primary purpose of Big Sand Watershed Structure Y-32-17 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 local government-owned.
The dam stands 52 feet tall and stretches 790 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 931 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 5,692 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 13 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 unsatisfactory, indicating serious safety deficiencies exist that require immediate attention or remedial action. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 01/26/2023.
At 52 feet, this dam is taller than 93% 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 Mississippi 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 | Mississippi |
| County | Carroll |
| Nearest City | Greenwood City Center |
| Coordinates | 33.58667, -90.02480 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 52 ft |
| Dam Height | 42 ft |
| Dam Length | 790 ft |
| Year Completed | 1966 (60 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 5,692 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 5,692 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 825 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 931 acres |
| Drainage Area | 13 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Unsatisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 01/26/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MS01065 |
| Federal ID | MS01065 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |