Big Bay Lake Dam
Key Takeaway
Big Bay Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in Mississippi. It was completed in 2010 and is 16 years old. Its primary use is recreation. High hazard means loss of life is likely if the dam fails — it does not indicate the dam's current condition. Learn more.
Physical Details
| Dam Height | 56 ft (taller than 99.8% in MS) |
| Dam Length | 1,890 ft |
| Dam Type | Earth |
| Max Storage | 29.8K acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 22.1K acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 968 acres |
| Drainage Area | 10 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 12,033 cfs |
| Year Completed | 2010 (16 years old) |
| NID ID | MS03753 |
Safety Information
Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.
Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?
Ownership
JAN HAMMOND
Private
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What is the hazard classification of Big Bay Lake Dam?
Big Bay Lake Dam is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.
Who owns and operates Big Bay Lake Dam?
Big Bay Lake Dam is owned by JAN HAMMOND (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.
When was Big Bay Lake Dam built?
Big Bay Lake Dam was completed in 2010, making it 16 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 Big Bay Lake Dam?
Big Bay Lake 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 Big Bay Lake Dam?
Big Bay Lake Dam has a dam height of 56 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 Big Bay Lake Dam last inspected?
Big Bay Lake Dam was last inspected on April 1, 2022. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.