Chivery Dam

Bayou Chivary· Natchitoches, Louisiana· Built 1934· Other· 30 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Chivery Dam is classified as low hazard in Louisiana. It was completed in 1934 and is 92 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 30 ft (taller than 87.3% in LA)
Dam Length100 ft
Dam TypeOther
Max Storage280.0K acre-ft
Normal Storage109.0K acre-ft
Surface Area10,500 acres
Drainage Area928 sq mi
Max Discharge11,500 cfs
Year Completed1934 (92 years old)
NID IDLA00004

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: January 12, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: LA DOTD

Ownership

State of Louisiana

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Chivery Dam?

Chivery 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 Chivery Dam?

Chivery Dam is owned by State of Louisiana (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Chivery Dam built?

Chivery Dam was completed in 1934, making it 92 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 Chivery Dam?

Chivery 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 Chivery Dam?

Chivery Dam has a dam height of 30 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 Chivery Dam last inspected?

Chivery Dam was last inspected on January 12, 2022. 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.