Big Lake Dam
Big Lake Dam is an earth dam located in Calhoun County, Mississippi, built in 1955. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a unsatisfactory condition assessment.
About Big Lake Dam
The primary purpose of Big Lake Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Rainbow Ranch, Inc (private). It impounds the Shutispear.
The dam stands 25 feet tall and stretches 600 feet across, has a maximum storage capacity of 250 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1955, 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 03/08/2023.
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 | Calhoun |
| River/Stream | Shutispear |
| Coordinates | 33.77789, -89.29654 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 25 ft |
| Dam Height | 25 ft |
| Dam Length | 600 ft |
| Year Completed | 1955 (71 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 250 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 250 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 149 acre-ft |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | RAINBOW RANCH, INC |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Unsatisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 03/08/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MS01199 |
| Federal ID | MS01199 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |