Karl Chaney Dam

Bluff Creek· East Feliciana, Louisiana· Built 1984· Earth· 12 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Karl Chaney Dam is classified as low hazard in Louisiana. It was completed in 1984 and is 42 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 12 ft (taller than 19% in LA)
Dam Length680 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage96 acre-ft
Normal Storage56 acre-ft
Surface Area16 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge563 cfs
Year Completed1984 (42 years old)
NID IDLA00401

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: February 22, 2023
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: LA DOTD

Ownership

Owner 1. Blake Payne - Owner 2. John Starks

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Karl Chaney Dam?

Karl Chaney 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 Karl Chaney Dam?

Karl Chaney Dam is owned by Owner 1. Blake Payne - Owner 2. John Starks (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Karl Chaney Dam built?

Karl Chaney Dam was completed in 1984, making it 42 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 Karl Chaney Dam?

Karl Chaney 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 Karl Chaney Dam?

Karl Chaney Dam 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 Karl Chaney Dam last inspected?

Karl Chaney Dam was last inspected on February 22, 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.