Alligator Lake

Liberty Creek· Vernon, Louisiana· Built 1955· Earth· 34 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Federal Government

Key Takeaway

Alligator Lake is classified as low hazard in Louisiana. It was completed in 1955 and is 71 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 34 ft (taller than 92.5% in LA)
Dam Length1,000 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage140 acre-ft
Normal Storage80 acre-ft
Surface Area14 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge270 cfs
Year Completed1955 (71 years old)
Year Modified1991
NID IDLA00170

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: April 28, 2019
State Regulated: No

Ownership

Fort Johnson

Federal Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Alligator Lake?

Alligator Lake is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Alligator Lake?

Alligator Lake is owned by Fort Johnson (Federal Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Alligator Lake built?

Alligator Lake was completed in 1955, making it 71 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

What is the primary purpose of Alligator Lake?

Alligator Lake serves the following purposes: Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Alligator Lake?

Alligator Lake has a dam height of 34 ft. Dam height is measured from the natural streambed at the downstream toe to the top of the dam, and may differ from the visible height.

When was Alligator Lake last inspected?

Alligator Lake was last inspected on April 28, 2019. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.

Data from the National Inventory of Dams (NID) maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Dam conditions may have changed since the last update. This site is not affiliated with USACE. Do not use for emergency planning — contact your local dam safety program.