Bayou Macon Cutoff 1
Bayou Macon Cutoff 1 is an earth dam located in Franklin Parish, Louisiana, built in 1962. It carries a Low hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Bayou Macon Cutoff 1
The primary purpose of Bayou Macon Cutoff 1 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 Franklin Parish Police Jury (local government). It impounds the Bayou Macon near Gilbert.
The dam stands 14 feet tall and stretches 550 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 320 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 3,840 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 11 square miles. Completed in 1962, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.
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 01/30/2024.
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Location
| State | Louisiana |
| County | Franklin |
| Nearest City | Gilbert |
| River/Stream | Bayou Macon |
| Coordinates | 32.05778, -91.60763 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 14 ft |
| Dam Height | 14 ft |
| Dam Length | 550 ft |
| Year Completed | 1962 (64 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 3,840 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 3,840 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 1,600 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 320 acres |
| Drainage Area | 11 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 125 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | Franklin Parish Police Jury |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Low |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 01/30/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | LA00744 |
| Federal ID | LA00744 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |