Wham Brake Lake

Little Bayou Boeuf· Ouachita, Louisiana· Built 1950· Earth· 9 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Wham Brake Lake is classified as low hazard in Louisiana. It was completed in 1950 and is 76 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 9 ft (taller than 6.5% in LA)
Dam Length30,648 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage34.7K acre-ft
Normal Storage14.9K acre-ft
Surface Area4,950 acres
Drainage Area64 sq mi
Max Discharge4,210 cfs
Year Completed1950 (76 years old)
Year Modified2016
NID IDLA00706

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: November 8, 2018
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: LADOTD

Ownership

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Wham Brake Lake?

Wham Brake Lake 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 Wham Brake Lake?

Wham Brake Lake is owned by Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Wham Brake Lake built?

Wham Brake Lake was completed in 1950, making it 76 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 Wham Brake Lake?

Wham Brake Lake 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 Wham Brake Lake?

Wham Brake Lake has a dam height of 9 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 Wham Brake Lake last inspected?

Wham Brake Lake was last inspected on November 8, 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.