Prentiss Walker Lake Dam
Key Takeaway
Prentiss Walker Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in Mississippi. It was completed in 1963 and is 63 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 | 47 ft (taller than 99.2% in MS) |
| Dam Length | 1,100 ft |
| Dam Type | Earth |
| Max Storage | 1.5K acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 1.3K acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 80 acres |
| Drainage Area | 2 sq mi |
| Year Completed | 1963 (63 years old) |
| NID ID | MS02721 |
Safety Information
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?
Ownership
MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE FISHERIES AND PARKS
State Government
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What is the hazard classification of Prentiss Walker Lake Dam?
Prentiss Walker Lake 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 Prentiss Walker Lake Dam?
Prentiss Walker Lake 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 Prentiss Walker Lake Dam built?
Prentiss Walker Lake Dam was completed in 1963, making it 63 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 Prentiss Walker Lake Dam?
Prentiss Walker 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 Prentiss Walker Lake Dam?
Prentiss Walker Lake Dam has a dam height of 47 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 Prentiss Walker Lake Dam last inspected?
Prentiss Walker Lake Dam was last inspected on May 16, 2023. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.