Sibley Lake Dam facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sibley Lake |
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 Sibley Lake
Location in Louisiana
Sibley Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana |
| Coordinates | 31°45′09″N 93°06′39″W / 31.75250°N 93.11083°W |
| Built | 1962 |
Sibley Lake Dam is a large earth dam located in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana. It was built to create Sibley Lake, which is an important source of drinking water for the city of Natchitoches. Both the lake and the dam are named after Dr. John Sibley, an early settler in the area.
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Building Sibley Lake Dam
The Sibley Lake Dam was built in 1962. It is an earth dam, meaning it is made mostly of soil and rock. The dam stands about 36 feet tall. It stretches for a long distance, about 6,520 feet across.
Why the Dam Was Built
The main reason for building the dam was to create a reliable water supply. It holds back the water from Youngs Bayou. This water is then treated and used as drinking water for the people of Natchitoches. The city of Natchitoches and its local water department manage the dam and the lake.
About Sibley Lake
Sibley Lake is the large body of water created by the dam. It covers an area of about 3.4 square miles. The edge of the lake, called the shoreline, is about 38 miles long. The lake can hold a lot of water, up to 56,700 acre-feet. An acre-foot is the amount of water needed to cover one acre of land with water one foot deep.
From Wetlands to Lake
Before the dam was built, this area was a natural wetland. Wetlands are areas where water covers the soil, or is present either at or near the surface of the soil all year or for varying periods of time. This specific wetland was known as Lac Terre Noir. In the early 1900s, it was drained. Later, it was turned into the reservoir we know today as Sibley Lake.
Fun Activities at Sibley Lake
Sibley Lake is not just for water supply; it's also a great place for outdoor fun! People can enjoy many activities here. These include hunting, boating, and camping. Fishing is also very popular. You can find fish like white crappie, channel catfish, and largemouth bass in the lake. To do these activities, you usually need to get a special permit from the city each year.
