Chiwapa Watershed Structure 65 Dam

CHIWAPA CREEK· Pontotoc, Mississippi· Built 1966· Earth· 28 ft tall
High Hazard Flood Risk Reduction Local Government

Key Takeaway

Chiwapa Watershed Structure 65 Dam is classified as high hazard in Mississippi. It was completed in 1966 and is 60 years old. Its primary use is flood risk reduction. 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 28 ft (taller than 86.6% in MS)
Dam Length650 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage337 acre-ft
Normal Storage69 acre-ft
Surface Area20 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge20,000 cfs
Year Completed1966 (60 years old)
NID IDMS00602

Safety Information

High Hazard

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?

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: May 11, 2023
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: MS DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY

Ownership

CHIWAPA WATERSHED DISTRICT

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Chiwapa Watershed Structure 65 Dam?

Chiwapa Watershed Structure 65 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 Chiwapa Watershed Structure 65 Dam?

Chiwapa Watershed Structure 65 Dam is owned by CHIWAPA WATERSHED DISTRICT (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Chiwapa Watershed Structure 65 Dam built?

Chiwapa Watershed Structure 65 Dam was completed in 1966, making it 60 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 Chiwapa Watershed Structure 65 Dam?

Chiwapa Watershed Structure 65 Dam serves the following purposes: Flood Risk Reduction. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Chiwapa Watershed Structure 65 Dam?

Chiwapa Watershed Structure 65 Dam has a dam height of 28 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 Chiwapa Watershed Structure 65 Dam last inspected?

Chiwapa Watershed Structure 65 Dam was last inspected on May 11, 2023. 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.