Continental Lake

Edwards Mill Creek· Bienville, Louisiana· Built 1950· Earth· 12 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Continental Lake is classified as low hazard in Louisiana. It was completed in 1950 and is 76 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 12 ft (taller than 19% in LA)
Dam Length380 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage75 acre-ft
Normal Storage50 acre-ft
Surface Area12 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge520 cfs
Year Completed1950 (76 years old)
NID IDLA00339

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: September 27, 2019
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: LA DOTD

Ownership

W.O. White and Essie Sprawls White

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Continental Lake?

Continental 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 Continental Lake?

Continental Lake is owned by W.O. White and Essie Sprawls White (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Continental Lake built?

Continental Lake was completed in 1950, making it 76 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 Continental Lake?

Continental 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 Continental Lake?

Continental Lake has a dam height of 12 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 Continental Lake last inspected?

Continental Lake was last inspected on September 27, 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.