White Cypress Lake Dam

White Cypress Lake Dam is an earth dam located in Hancock County, Mississippi, built in 1972. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.

About White Cypress Lake Dam

The primary purpose of White Cypress Lake Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by White Cypress Lake Homeowners Association (private). It impounds the Unt Of White Cypress Creek near Necaise.

The dam stands 27 feet tall and stretches 1,383 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 119 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 2,238 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1 square miles. Completed in 1972, 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 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 03/27/2023.

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.

Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.

High HazardFair ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Yes

Location

StateMississippi
CountyHancock
Nearest CityNecaise
River/StreamUnt Of White Cypress Creek
Coordinates30.55365, -89.46389

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeEarth
NID Height27 ft
Dam Height27 ft
Dam Length1,383 ft
Year Completed1972 (54 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage2,238 acre-ft
Max Storage2,238 acre-ft
Normal Storage1,174 acre-ft
Surface Area119 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge7,591 cfs
Spillway TypeUncontrolled

Ownership & Safety

PurposeRecreation
OwnerWHITE CYPRESS LAKE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION
Owner TypePrivate
Hazard ClassificationHigh
Condition AssessmentFair
Last Inspection03/27/2023
Emergency Action PlanYes

Identifiers

NID IDMS03713
Federal IDMS03713
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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