Rice Lake Dam

Paige Bayou· Caddo, Louisiana· Built 1905· Earth· 25 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Rice Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in Louisiana. It was completed in 1905 and is 121 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 25 ft (taller than 76.3% in LA)
Dam Length790 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage900 acre-ft
Normal Storage756 acre-ft
Surface Area72 acres
Drainage Area3 sq mi
Max Discharge1,125 cfs
Year Completed1905 (121 years old)
Year Modified2005
NID IDLA00350

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: December 3, 2020
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: LA DOTD

Ownership

Rice Farms Limited

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Rice Lake Dam?

Rice 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 Rice Lake Dam?

Rice Lake Dam is owned by Rice Farms Limited (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Rice Lake Dam built?

Rice Lake Dam was completed in 1905, making it 121 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 Rice Lake Dam?

Rice 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 Rice Lake Dam?

Rice Lake Dam has a dam height of 25 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 Rice Lake Dam last inspected?

Rice Lake Dam was last inspected on December 3, 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.