Lake Chance Dam dam
Lake Chance Dam
Located in Saline County, Arkansas, Lake Chance Dam is a privately owned structure designed by USDA NRCS and completed in 1951. The dam, which spans 400 feet in length and stands at a height of 26 feet, serves primarily for recreational purposes on the Saline River. With a normal storage capacity of 98 acre-feet and a maximum storage of 138 acre-feet, the dam also plays a role in flood control with a maximum discharge of 349 cubic feet per second.
The dam's significant hazard potential and moderate risk assessment rating highlight the importance of regular inspections and maintenance. While the condition assessment is currently not rated, the dam is regulated by the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission and undergoes state inspections, permitting, and enforcement. Despite its uncontrolled spillway type, Lake Chance Dam continues to provide valuable recreational opportunities and contributes to the overall water resource management in the area.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in the engineering and environmental aspects of dams will find Lake Chance Dam an intriguing structure to study. Its location in Benton, Arkansas, its unique design as an earth dam, and its history of construction by the Natural Resources Conservation Service add to the allure of this important water management feature. As efforts to address climate change and water conservation intensify, understanding the role of dams like Lake Chance Dam becomes increasingly crucial in ensuring sustainable water resource management for future generations.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Lake Chance Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Saline River At Benton | 97 cfs | → |
| Ouachita River At Remmel Dam Above Jones Mill | 302 cfs | → |
| Rock Creek At 36th Street At Little Rock | 16 cfs | → |
| Lake Maumelle At State Hwy 10 Near Wye | 293 cfs | → |
| Maumelle River At Maumelle Dam At Natural Steps | · | → |
| Maumelle River At Williams Junction | 0 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Chance Dam.
Boat launches
- Rivercrest Circle 18, Benton
- West Colonel Glenn Road Saline County
- Main Current Mtb Trail Little Rock
- Maumelle Park Road Pulaski County
- I 30;Us 67;Us 70 Little Rock
- Cook's Landing Road North Little Rock
Campgrounds
- Lake Catherine State Park
- Maumelle
- Gulpha Gorge Campground
- Gulpha Gorge - Hot Springs National Park
- Lake Sylvia
- Lake Sylvia Recreation Area
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- East Line Of Nw 1/4, Sec 22, T2n, R17w To West Line Of Sec 26, T2n, R17w
- Forest Road 179 To East Line Of Nw 1/4 Sec 22, T2n, R17w
- Lake Winona Dam To Southern Line Of Sec 16, T2n, R17w
- Forest Road 132c To Forest Raod 179
- Headwaters Sec 2, T2n, R18w To Forest Road 132c
- Headwaters Sec 2, T1n, R20w To Sec 7, T1n, R19w
Track Lake Chance Dam in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Lake Chance Dam
Where does the data for Lake Chance Dam come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the Significant hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Lake Chance Dam.