Natchez State Park Dam

WHITENS CREEK· Adams, Mississippi· Built 1984· Earth· 64 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Natchez State Park Dam is classified as high hazard in Mississippi. It was completed in 1984 and is 42 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 64 ft (taller than 99.9% in MS)
Dam Length2,100 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage5.7K acre-ft
Normal Storage3.0K acre-ft
Surface Area230 acres
Drainage Area4 sq mi
Max Discharge11,000 cfs
Year Completed1984 (42 years old)
NID IDMS02948

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: June 23, 2022
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 Natchez State Park Dam?

Natchez State Park Dam 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 Natchez State Park Dam?

Natchez State Park Dam 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 Natchez State Park Dam built?

Natchez State Park 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 Natchez State Park Dam?

Natchez State Park 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 Natchez State Park Dam?

Natchez State Park Dam has a dam height of 64 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 Natchez State Park Dam last inspected?

Natchez State Park Dam was last inspected on June 23, 2022. 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.