Howard Wilcox Dam

Wallace Creek· De Soto, Louisiana· Built 1992· Earth· 14 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Howard Wilcox Dam is classified as low hazard in Louisiana. It was completed in 1992 and is 34 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 14 ft (taller than 27.6% in LA)
Dam Length890 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage336 acre-ft
Normal Storage312 acre-ft
Surface Area48 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge2,850 cfs
Year Completed1992 (34 years old)
NID IDLA00479

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: May 6, 2021
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: LA DOTD

Ownership

Howard Wilcox

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Howard Wilcox Dam?

Howard Wilcox 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 Howard Wilcox Dam?

Howard Wilcox Dam is owned by Howard Wilcox (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Howard Wilcox Dam built?

Howard Wilcox Dam was completed in 1992, making it 34 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 Howard Wilcox Dam?

Howard Wilcox 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 Howard Wilcox Dam?

Howard Wilcox Dam has a dam height of 14 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 Howard Wilcox Dam last inspected?

Howard Wilcox Dam was last inspected on May 6, 2021. 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.