ARKANSAS RESERVOIR REPORT

Last Updated: December 22, 2025

Across the nation, dams and reservoirs play a vital role in water supply, flood control, and ecosystem management. However, these critical resources are subject to the whims of weather, climate change, and human demand. The latest observations reveal a mixed picture, with some reservoirs experiencing surpluses due to above-average precipitation, while others face drought conditions, reflecting irregularities in snowpack melting and river flows.

For instance, Lake Powell in Arizona, the second-largest man-made reservoir in the country by maximum water capacity, is currently facing significantly low water levels with only about 44% of its average storage reported, a stark illustration of the prolonged drought impacting the Colorado River Basin. Contrastingly, Lake San Antonio in California is experiencing a surplus, holding nearly double the average storage, likely due to recent heavy rains. Similarly, New Melones Reservoir in California has a storage level well above its average, which could be beneficial in addressing the state's water needs amidst variable climatic conditions. Strategic management of these water resources is more crucial than ever, as water management authorities strive to balance environmental sustainability with the demands of urban development, agriculture, and recreation. The data underscores the importance of continued monitoring and adaptive reservoir management in the face of increasingly unpredictable weather patterns.

Arkansas has numerous reservoirs and dams, with the White and Arkansas rivers being the major sources of water for these bodies. Some of the prominent reservoirs in the state include Lake Ouachita, Greers Ferry Lake, and Beaver Lake. These reservoirs are fed by several creeks and tributaries, and the water levels are largely influenced by factors such as rainfall, snowpack, and seasonal trends. The Ozark and Ouachita mountains are significant in the hydrology of the area and contribute to the snowpack that ultimately feeds the reservoirs. In recent years, Arkansas has experienced severe drought conditions, with record-low water levels reported in several reservoirs. Lake Ouachita, the largest reservoir in the state, has experienced severe drought conditions and reached record-low levels in recent years. The drought conditions have also impacted other reservoirs in the state, with Beaver Lake and Greers Ferry Lake experiencing lower-than-normal water levels. Overall, the hydrology of Arkansas is influenced by several factors, including rainfall, snowpack, and seasonal trends. The state has experienced both record-breaking highs and lows, with drought conditions being a significant concern in recent years.

Arkansas has numerous reservoirs and dams, with the White and Arkansas rivers being the major sources of water for these bodies. Some of the prominent reservoirs in the state include Lake Ouachita, Greers Ferry Lake, and Beaver Lake. These reservoirs are fed by several creeks and tributaries, and the water levels are largely influenced by factors such as rainfall, snowpack, and seasonal trends.

The Ozark and Ouachita mountains are significant in the hydrology of the area and contribute to the snowpack that ultimately feeds the reservoirs. In recent years, Arkansas has experienced severe drought conditions, with record-low water levels reported in several reservoirs.

Lake Ouachita, the largest reservoir in the state, has experienced severe drought conditions and reached record-low levels in recent years. The drought conditions have also impacted other reservoirs in the state, with Beaver Lake and Greers Ferry Lake experiencing lower-than-normal water levels.

Overall, the hydrology of Arkansas is influenced by several factors, including rainfall, snowpack, and seasonal trends. The state has experienced both record-breaking highs and lows, with drought conditions being a significant concern in recent years.