Lake Martin Dam

Vermilion River Offstream· St. Martin, Louisiana· Built 1952· Earth· 15 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Lake Martin Dam is classified as low hazard in Louisiana. It was completed in 1952 and is 74 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 15 ft (taller than 33.1% in LA)
Dam Length26,996 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage5.3K acre-ft
Normal Storage4.5K acre-ft
Surface Area800 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge22 cfs
Year Completed1952 (74 years old)
NID IDLA00187

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: January 31, 2019
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: LA DOTD

Ownership

LA Dept of Wildlife and Fisheries

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lake Martin Dam?

Lake Martin 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 Lake Martin Dam?

Lake Martin Dam is owned by LA Dept of Wildlife and Fisheries (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Lake Martin Dam built?

Lake Martin Dam was completed in 1952, making it 74 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 Lake Martin Dam?

Lake Martin 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 Lake Martin Dam?

Lake Martin Dam has a dam height of 15 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 Lake Martin Dam last inspected?

Lake Martin Dam was last inspected on January 31, 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.