Map of All 748 Louisiana Dams
Louisiana has 748 dams in the National Inventory of Dams — and 42 are classified as high hazard (6% of the state’s total), meaning failure would likely cause loss of life. 4 Louisiana dams are both high-hazard and in poor or unsatisfactory condition.
Use the interactive Louisiana dams map below to explore every dam in the state, color-coded by hazard level. Click any dam for its condition assessment, last inspection date, and Emergency Action Plan status. Or view the full US Dams interactive map to compare Louisiana to every other state.
Hazard
Condition
Purpose
Louisiana Dams by the Numbers
- 748 total dams in Louisiana
- 42 high hazard — failure would likely cause loss of life
- 72 significant hazard
- 626 low hazard
- 109 in poor or unsatisfactory condition (88 poor, 21 unsatisfactory)
- 4 Louisiana dams are both high-hazard AND in poor/unsatisfactory condition
Data source: US Army Corps of Engineers, National Inventory of Dams (NID).
The Tallest Dams in Louisiana
The tallest dam in Louisiana is Toledo Bend at 135 feet, completed in 1966. The 10 tallest Louisiana dams from the National Inventory of Dams:
| Dam | Height | Year | Primary Purpose | Condition | County |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toledo Bend | 135 ft | 1966 | Hydroelectric | Satisfactory | Sabine |
| Old River | 134 ft | 1990 | Hydroelectric | Not Rated | Concordia |
| Red River Lock and Dam 3 | 134 ft | 1991 | Navigation | Not Available | Natchitoches |
| Joe D. Waggonner, Jr. Lock and Dam | 122 ft | 1985 | Navigation | Not Available | Caddo |
| Lindy Claiborne Boggs Lock and Dam | 110 ft | 1985 | Navigation | Not Available | Catahoula |
| Russell B. Long Lock and Dam | 110 ft | 1995 | Navigation | Not Available | Red River |
| John H. Overton Lock and Dam | 104 ft | 1987 | Navigation | Not Available | Rapides |
| Jonesville Lock and Dam | 94 ft | 1972 | Navigation | Not Available | Catahoula |
| Columbia Lock and Dam | 90 ft | 1970 | Navigation | Not Available | Caldwell |
| Lake Claiborne | 82 ft | 1966 | Recreation | Fair | Claiborne |
High-Hazard Louisiana Dams in Poor Condition
The most concerning dams are those classified as high-hazard that also carry a Poor or Unsatisfactory condition rating — 4 dams in Louisiana. Notable examples:
- Kincaid Reservoir (56 ft, Rapides County) — Recreation, Poor condition
- Braxton Moody Dam No. 1 (32 ft, West Feliciana County) — Recreation, Unsatisfactory condition
- Saline Lake Dam (23 ft, Winn County) — Recreation, Unsatisfactory condition
- Longville Lake (10 ft, Beauregard County) — Recreation, Poor condition
Filter the interactive US Dams map by hazard and condition to see all of them on one view.
Dam Safety in Louisiana
Dam safety in Louisiana is overseen by the state dam safety program, in coordination with federal regulators: the US Army Corps of Engineers, the Bureau of Reclamation (for federal water projects), the Tennessee Valley Authority where applicable, and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for licensed hydropower dams. Emergency Action Plans are typically required for high-hazard dams under state regulations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many dams are in Louisiana?
Louisiana has 748 dams in the National Inventory of Dams tracked by the US Army Corps of Engineers: 42 high hazard, 72 significant hazard, and 626 low hazard.
What is the tallest dam in Louisiana?
The tallest dam in Louisiana is Toledo Bend at 135 feet, completed in 1966. It is primarily a hydroelectric structure.
How many Louisiana dams are in poor condition?
109 Louisiana dams are currently rated as being in Poor or Unsatisfactory condition. Of those, 4 are also classified as high-hazard — meaning failure would likely cause loss of life.
