Degray Dam - Saddle Dike dam
Degray Dam - Saddle Dike
Degray Dam - Saddle Dike, also known as Degray Lake, is a federal-owned structure located in Caddo Valley, Arkansas. Completed in 1969 by the US Army Corps of Engineers, the dam serves multiple purposes including flood risk reduction, hydroelectric power generation, recreation, and water supply. With a hydraulic height of 238 feet and a structural height of 243 feet, the dam plays a critical role in managing water levels and mitigating flood risks along the Caddo River.
The dam has a storage capacity of 1,377,100 acre-feet and a surface area of 13,400 acres, making it a vital component of the region's water resource infrastructure. Despite being classified as having a high hazard potential, the US Army Corps of Engineers actively manages dam-related flood risks through regular inspections, maintenance, and collaboration with local emergency managers. Additionally, the dam has an emergency action plan in place to guide responses in case of a dam-related emergency, ensuring the safety of surrounding communities and the structural integrity of the dam.
As a key feature in the Vicksburg District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, Degray Dam - Saddle Dike exemplifies the agency's commitment to sound risk management practices and proactive measures to address potential hazards. By continuously monitoring and addressing potential risks, the dam serves as a crucial asset for water resource management and climate resilience in the region.
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 Degray Dam - Saddle Dike -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Ouachita River At Remmel Dam Above Jones Mill | 282 cfs | → |
| West Fork Hot Springs Creek At Hot Springs | 0 cfs | → |
| Antoine River At Antoine | 39 cfs | → |
| Caddo River Near Caddo Gap | 41 cfs | → |
| Saline River At Benton | 128 cfs | → |
| Saline River Near Sheridan | 247 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Degray Dam - Saddle Dike.
Boat launches
- Us 67 Midway
- Stewart Circle 126, Garland County
- Blakely Dam Road Garland County
- Brady Mountain Road Garland County
- Forest Road Garland County
Campgrounds
- Iron Mountain - De Gray Lake
- Degray Lake State Park
- Edgewood - De Gray Lake
- Caddo Drive - De Gray Lake
- Ozan Point - De Gray Lake
- Arlie Moore - De Gray Lake
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Headwaters Sec 2, T1n, R20w To Sec 7, T1n, R19w
- Highway 298 Bridge Near Sims, Ar To Slackwater Of Lake Ouachita
- Lake Winona Dam To Southern Line Of Sec 16, T2n, R17w
- 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
- Headwaters Sec 2, T2n, R18w To Forest Road 132c
Track Degray Dam - Saddle Dike 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 Degray Dam - Saddle Dike
Where does the data for Degray Dam - Saddle Dike 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 High 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 Degray Dam - Saddle Dike.