Ben Johnson Dam

Bayou Na Bonchase· De Soto, Louisiana· Built 1933· Earth· 10 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Ben Johnson Dam is classified as low hazard in Louisiana. It was completed in 1933 and is 93 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 10 ft (taller than 9.7% in LA)
Dam Length550 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage77 acre-ft
Normal Storage52 acre-ft
Surface Area10 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge350 cfs
Year Completed1933 (93 years old)
NID IDLA00486

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: No
Last Inspection: March 4, 2021
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: LA DOTD

Ownership

Nabors Properties

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Ben Johnson Dam?

Ben Johnson Dam 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 Ben Johnson Dam?

Ben Johnson Dam is owned by Nabors Properties (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Ben Johnson Dam built?

Ben Johnson Dam was completed in 1933, making it 93 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 Ben Johnson Dam?

Ben Johnson Dam 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 Ben Johnson Dam?

Ben Johnson Dam has a dam height of 10 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 Ben Johnson Dam last inspected?

Ben Johnson Dam was last inspected on March 4, 2021. 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.