Murphys Lake West End

Bayou Macon· Richland, Louisiana· Built 1960· Earth· 17 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Murphys Lake West End is classified as low hazard in Louisiana. It was completed in 1960 and is 66 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 17 ft (taller than 46.6% in LA)
Dam Length650 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage260 acre-ft
Normal Storage176 acre-ft
Surface Area44 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge360 cfs
Year Completed1960 (66 years old)
NID IDLA00182

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: June 12, 2018
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: LA DOTD

Ownership

Epps Plantation, LLC

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Murphys Lake West End?

Murphys Lake West End 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 Murphys Lake West End?

Murphys Lake West End is owned by Epps Plantation, LLC (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Murphys Lake West End built?

Murphys Lake West End was completed in 1960, making it 66 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 Murphys Lake West End?

Murphys Lake West End 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 Murphys Lake West End?

Murphys Lake West End has a dam height of 17 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 Murphys Lake West End last inspected?

Murphys Lake West End was last inspected on June 12, 2018. 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.