Norris Lake Dam is an earth dam located in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi, built in 1940. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 15 ft15 ft tall and 1,000 ft long. 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 Norris Lake Dam
The primary purpose of Norris Lake Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Mississippi State University (state). It impounds the Unt of Sand Creek near Starkville.
The dam stands 15 feet tall and stretches 1,000 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 41 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 353 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1940, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.
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 12/06/2022.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | Mississippi |
| County | Oktibbeha |
| Nearest City | Starkville |
| River/Stream | Unt of Sand Creek |
| Coordinates | 33.47795, -88.73004 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 15 ft |
| Dam Height | 15 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,000 ft |
| Year Completed | 1940 (86 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 353 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 353 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 189 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 41 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | Mississippi State University |
| Owner Type | State |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 12/06/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MS00344 |
| Federal ID | MS00344 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |