Lake Tangipahoa Dam facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Tangipahoa Dam |
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 Location of Lake Tangipahoa Dam in Mississippi
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| Country | United States |
| Location | Pike County, Mississippi |
| Coordinates | 31°10′29″N 90°31′40″W / 31.17472°N 90.52778°W |
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Status | Operational |
| Opening date | 1940 |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Height | 34 ft (10 m) |
| Length | 2,300 ft (701 m) |
| Reservoir | |
| Total capacity | 4,841 acre⋅ft (5,971,286 m3) |
| Catchment area | 56.8 sq mi (147 km2) |
| Surface area | 554 acres (224 ha) |
The Lake Tangipahoa Dam is a special wall built across the Tangipahoa River in Pike County, Mississippi. It's called an embankment dam, which means it's made mostly of earth and rock. This dam helps create a large lake called Lake Tangipahoa, which is a popular spot inside Percy Quin State Park. The lake is a great place for fun activities like fishing and boating!
Contents
Building and Rebuilding the Dam
The Lake Tangipahoa Dam was first finished in 1940. It was built to create the lake for recreation.
Early Challenges
Just two years after it was built, in 1942, the dam broke. This caused the lake to drain. But people worked hard to fix it! The dam was rebuilt in 1945. This repair cost about $75,000, which was a lot of money back then.
The 1983 Flood
In the spring of 1983, there was a very big flood. The dam broke again during this flood. This event caused the Tangipahoa River to reach record-high water levels. After this, the dam was rebuilt once more. This time, a strong concrete structure was added to help control floods better.
Hurricane Isaac in 2012
In August 2012, a big storm called Hurricane Isaac brought a lot of rain. The lake behind the dam filled up very quickly. Because of worries about the dam's safety, about 60,000 people living downstream had to leave their homes. Later that month, the lake was drained on purpose. This was done so the dam could be rebuilt and made even stronger.
Why the Dam is Important
The Lake Tangipahoa Dam is important for several reasons:
- Recreation: It creates Lake Tangipahoa, which is a key part of Percy Quin State Park. People visit the lake for fishing, swimming, and boating.
- Flood Control: The dam, especially with its added concrete structure, helps manage the flow of the Tangipahoa River. This helps protect communities downstream from big floods.
- Nature: The lake and the park provide a home for many plants and animals.
