Government Pond

DRAKES CREEK· Vernon, Louisiana· Built 1942· Earth· 8 ft tall
Low Hazard Fish And Wildlife Pond Recreation Federal Government

Key Takeaway

Government Pond is classified as low hazard in Louisiana. It was completed in 1942 and is 84 years old. Its primary use is fish and wildlife pond.

Physical Details

Dam Height 8 ft (taller than 2.3% in LA)
Dam Length400 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage65 acre-ft
Normal Storage20 acre-ft
Surface Area6 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge101 cfs
Year Completed1942 (84 years old)
NID IDLA00573

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: December 22, 2011
State Regulated: No

Ownership

USDA FS

Federal Government

Nearby Dams

Oliver Goins Dam

Vernon, LA

Low Hazard 20 ft

C. J. Bailey Dam

Vernon, LA

Low Hazard 16 ft

Fullerton Lake

Vernon, LA

Low Hazard 9 ft

Boneset Creek Dam

Beauregard, LA

Low Hazard 10 ft

Engineer Lake

Vernon, LA

Low Hazard 23 ft

Lake Wood Farms

Beauregard, LA

Low Hazard 9 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Government Pond?

Government Pond 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 Government Pond?

Government Pond is owned by USDA FS (Federal Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Government Pond built?

Government Pond was completed in 1942, making it 84 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 Government Pond?

Government Pond serves the following purposes: Fish And Wildlife Pond, Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Government Pond?

Government Pond has a dam height of 8 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 Government Pond last inspected?

Government Pond was last inspected on December 22, 2011. 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.