Sibley Lake Dam is an earth dam located in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana, built in 1962. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 36 ft36 ft tall and 6,045 ft long, taller than 82% of U.S. dams with a recorded height. Height is drawn to scale against a two-story house, about 25 ft; the profile is a generic embankment section and the water level is illustrative.
About Sibley Lake Dam
The primary purpose of Sibley Lake 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 City of Natchitoches (local government). It impounds the Youngs Bayou near Natchitoches.
The dam stands 36 feet tall and stretches 6,045 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 2,176 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 56,700 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 40 square miles. Completed in 1962, 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 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 07/10/2023.
At 36 feet, this dam is taller than 82% 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.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | Louisiana |
| County | Natchitoches |
| Nearest City | Natchitoches |
| River/Stream | Youngs Bayou |
| Coordinates | 31.75611, -93.10930 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 36 ft |
| Dam Height | 36 ft |
| Dam Length | 6,045 ft |
| Year Completed | 1962 (64 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 56,700 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 56,700 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 19,500 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 2,176 acres |
| Drainage Area | 40 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 3,500 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | City of Natchitoches |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 07/10/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | LA00027 |
| Federal ID | LA00027 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |