Larto Lake Dam

Larto Bayou· Catahoula, Louisiana· Built 1959· Earth· 38 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Larto Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in Louisiana. It was completed in 1959 and is 67 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 38 ft (taller than 95.5% in LA)
Dam Length2,930 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage126.0K acre-ft
Normal Storage15.0K acre-ft
Surface Area8,200 acres
Drainage Area142 sq mi
Max Discharge4,407 cfs
Year Completed1959 (67 years old)
NID IDLA00023

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: July 24, 2020
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: LA DOTD

Ownership

State of Louisiana

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Larto Lake Dam?

Larto Lake 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 Larto Lake Dam?

Larto Lake Dam is owned by State of Louisiana (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Larto Lake Dam built?

Larto Lake Dam was completed in 1959, making it 67 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 Larto Lake Dam?

Larto Lake 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 Larto Lake Dam?

Larto Lake Dam has a dam height of 38 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 Larto Lake Dam last inspected?

Larto Lake Dam was last inspected on July 24, 2020. 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.