Cotile Lake Dam
Cotile Lake Dam is an earth dam located in Rapides Parish, Louisiana, built in 1965. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Cotile Lake Dam
The primary purpose of Cotile Lake Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Rapides Parish Police Jury (local government). It impounds the Bayou Jean De Jean near Hot-wells.
The dam stands 47 feet tall and stretches 6,040 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 775 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 49,200 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 40 square miles. Completed in 1965, 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 11/15/2022.
At 47 feet, this dam is taller than 92% 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 | Rapides |
| Nearest City | Hot-wells |
| River/Stream | Bayou Jean De Jean |
| Coordinates | 31.33842, -92.72839 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 47 ft |
| Dam Height | 33 ft |
| Dam Length | 6,040 ft |
| Year Completed | 1965 (61 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 49,200 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 49,200 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 25,000 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 775 acres |
| Drainage Area | 40 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 45,250 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | Rapides Parish Police Jury |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 11/15/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | LA00031 |
| Federal ID | LA00031 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |