Big Sand Watershed Structure Y-32-11 Dam

About Big Sand Watershed Structure Y-32-11 Dam

The primary purpose of Big Sand Watershed Structure Y-32-11 Dam 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 Claude Elam (local government). It impounds the Magic Creek near North Carrollton City Center.

The dam stands 44 feet tall and stretches 1,161 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 106 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 2,305 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 7 square miles. Completed in 1966, 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 unsatisfactory, indicating serious safety deficiencies exist that require immediate attention or remedial action. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 11/02/2022.

At 44 feet, this dam is taller than 90% 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 Mississippi dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.

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