Lake Tom Bailey

TOOMSUBA CREEK· Lauderdale, Mississippi· Built 1958· Earth· 28 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Lake Tom Bailey is classified as high hazard in Mississippi. It was completed in 1958 and is 68 years old. Its primary use is recreation. High hazard means loss of life is likely if the dam fails — it does not indicate the dam's current condition. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 28 ft (taller than 86.6% in MS)
Dam Length4,900 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage3.4K acre-ft
Normal Storage1.2K acre-ft
Surface Area250 acres
Drainage Area9 sq mi
Year Completed1958 (68 years old)
NID IDMS02633

Safety Information

High Hazard

Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: April 11, 2023
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: MS DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY

Ownership

MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE FISHERIES AND PARKS

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lake Tom Bailey?

Lake Tom Bailey is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Lake Tom Bailey?

Lake Tom Bailey is owned by MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE FISHERIES AND PARKS (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Lake Tom Bailey built?

Lake Tom Bailey was completed in 1958, making it 68 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 Tom Bailey?

Lake Tom Bailey 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 Tom Bailey?

Lake Tom Bailey has a dam height of 28 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 Tom Bailey last inspected?

Lake Tom Bailey was last inspected on April 11, 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.