Richard Crain Dam

Bayou Darbonne· Natchitoches, Louisiana· Built 1983· Earth· 12 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Richard Crain Dam is classified as low hazard in Louisiana. It was completed in 1983 and is 43 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 12 ft (taller than 19% in LA)
Dam Length410 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage71 acre-ft
Surface Area6 acres
Year Completed1983 (43 years old)
NID IDLA00457

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 27, 2010
State Regulated: No

Ownership

Derry Farm and Timber, Llc

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Richard Crain Dam?

Richard Crain 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 Richard Crain Dam?

Richard Crain Dam is owned by Derry Farm and Timber, Llc (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Richard Crain Dam built?

Richard Crain Dam was completed in 1983, making it 43 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 Richard Crain Dam?

Richard Crain 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 Richard Crain Dam?

Richard Crain Dam has a dam height of 12 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 Richard Crain Dam last inspected?

Richard Crain Dam was last inspected on December 27, 2010. 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.