Upper Bayou Nezpique No 6 is an earth dam located in Evangeline Parish, Louisiana, built in 1969. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 25 ft25 ft tall and 3,040 ft long, taller than 50% 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 Upper Bayou Nezpique No 6
The primary purpose of Upper Bayou Nezpique No 6 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 Evangeline Parish Police Jury (local government). It impounds the Tr-bayou Nezpique near Ville Platte.
The dam stands 25 feet tall and stretches 3,040 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 350 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 4,193 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 6 square miles. Completed in 1969, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.
This dam has a significant hazard potential classification, meaning that a failure could cause significant economic damage — flooding roads, bridges, or property downstream — but is not expected to result in loss of life. 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 01/12/2022.
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Location
| State | Louisiana |
| County | Evangeline |
| Nearest City | Ville Platte |
| River/Stream | Tr-bayou Nezpique |
| Coordinates | 30.81774, -92.38973 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 25 ft |
| Dam Height | 21 ft |
| Dam Length | 3,040 ft |
| Year Completed | 1969 (57 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 4,193 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 4,193 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 1,600 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 350 acres |
| Drainage Area | 6 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 1,540 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | Evangeline Parish Police Jury |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 01/12/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | LA00048 |
| Federal ID | LA00048 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |