Lake Tangipahoa Dam Explained

Lake Tangipahoa Dam
Location Map:Mississippi
Coordinates:31.1747°N -90.5278°W
Country:United States
Location:Pike County, Mississippi
Status:Operational
Purpose:Recreation
Opening:1940
Dam Height:340NaN0
Dam Length:23000NaN0
Res Capacity Total:48410NaN0
Res Catchment:56.80NaN0
Res Surface:5540NaN0

Lake Tangipahoa Dam is an embankment dam on the Tangipahoa River in Pike County, Mississippi. It forms Lake Tangipahoa within the Percy Quin State Park.[1] The dam was completed in 1940 and in 1942 it failed. It was rebuilt in 1945 at a cost of $75,000.[2] During the spring flood of 1983, the dam again failed and contributed to the flood records for the Tangipahoa River that stand today. The dam was rebuilt afterward and a concrete flood control structure was added. Heavy rainfall from Hurricane Isaac in August 2012 prompted the evacuation of 60,000 people downstream of the dam due to high reservoir levels and concerns of its stability.[3] The lake was drained later in the month with plans to rebuild the dam.[4]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Lake Tangipahoa Dam Percy, southwest Mississippi. FindLakes. 30 August 2012.
  2. Book: National Geographic's guide to the state parks of the United States.. registration. 1997. National Geographic Society. Washington, D.C.. 1426208898. 147. 4th.
  3. News: Anthony. Castellano. Mississippi Dam Failure Feared After Isaac. 30 August 2012. ABC News. 30 August 2012.
  4. News: Anthony. Castellano. Percy Quin's Lake Tangipahoa drained after Tropical Storm Isaac. 12 April 2014. Mississippi Sportsmen. 30 August 2012.