Otoucalofa Creek Structure Y-15b-8 Dam
Otoucalofa Creek Structure Y-15b-8 Dam is an earth dam located in Lafayette County, Mississippi, built in 1996. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a unsatisfactory condition assessment.
About Otoucalofa Creek Structure Y-15b-8 Dam
The primary purpose of Otoucalofa Creek Structure Y-15b-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 Otoucalofa Creek Drainage District Dam (local government). It impounds the Unt Of Sarter Creek near Water Valley.
The dam stands 29 feet tall and stretches 1,535 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 19 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 506 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1 square miles. Completed in 1996, the structure is 30 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 02/14/2022.
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 | Lafayette |
| Nearest City | Water Valley |
| River/Stream | Unt Of Sarter Creek |
| Coordinates | 34.21030, -89.46208 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 29 ft |
| Dam Height | 29 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,535 ft |
| Year Completed | 1996 (30 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 506 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 506 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 86 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 19 acres |
| Drainage Area | 1 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 65 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | OTOUCALOFA CREEK DRAINAGE DISTRICT DAM |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Unsatisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 02/14/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MS03398 |
| Federal ID | MS03398 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |