Bayou Desiard Upper Milhaven Dam
Bayou Desiard Upper Milhaven Dam is an earth dam located in Ouachita Parish, Louisiana, built in 1940. It carries a Low hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Bayou Desiard Upper Milhaven Dam
The primary purpose of Bayou Desiard Upper Milhaven 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 Ouachita Parish Police Jury (local government). It impounds the Bayou Desiard near Monroe.
The dam stands 19 feet tall and stretches 475 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 650 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 6,500 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 20 square miles. Completed in 1940, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.
This dam has a low hazard potential classification, meaning that failure would cause minimal damage, limited primarily to the dam owner's property, with no expected 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. The most recent inspection on record was 02/22/2024.
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Location
| State | Louisiana |
| County | Ouachita |
| Nearest City | Monroe |
| River/Stream | Bayou Desiard |
| Coordinates | 32.55403, -92.02232 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 19 ft |
| Dam Height | 19 ft |
| Dam Length | 475 ft |
| Year Completed | 1940 (86 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 6,500 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 6,500 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 3,250 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 650 acres |
| Drainage Area | 20 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 300 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Ouachita Parish Police Jury |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Low |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 02/22/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | LA00735 |
| Federal ID | LA00735 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |