Sowashee Creek Ws Str 8 Dam
Sowashee Creek Ws Str 8 Dam is an earth dam located in Lauderdale County, Mississippi, built in 1987. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Sowashee Creek Ws Str 8 Dam
The primary purpose of Sowashee Creek Ws Str 8 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 Sowashee Creek Drainage Dist. (local government). It impounds the Sowashee Creek near Meridian.
The dam stands 33 feet tall and stretches 1,200 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 30 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 2,214 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 2 square miles. Completed in 1987, the structure is 39 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 satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 10/24/2022.
At 33 feet, this dam is taller than 78% 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 | Lauderdale |
| Nearest City | Meridian |
| River/Stream | Sowashee Creek |
| Coordinates | 32.42301, -88.65845 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 33 ft |
| Dam Height | 33 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,200 ft |
| Year Completed | 1987 (39 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 2,214 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 2,214 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 113 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 30 acres |
| Drainage Area | 2 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | SOWASHEE CREEK DRAINAGE DIST. |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 10/24/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MS03199 |
| Federal ID | MS03199 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |