Shaw Lake Dam dam
Shaw Lake Dam
Shaw Lake Dam, located in Diamond City, Arkansas, is a private earth dam primarily used for recreation. Completed in 1962, this dam stands at a height of 35 feet with a hydraulic height of 35 feet as well. It has a storage capacity of 70 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 45 acre-feet. The dam spans 200 feet in length and is situated on Turkey Creek, within the Little Rock District of the US Army Corps of Engineers.
Despite its low hazard potential, Shaw Lake Dam has not been rated for its condition assessment. It is not state-regulated and does not have any associated federal agencies overseeing its operations or construction. The dam does not have any outlet gates or locks, and it has not been modified in recent years. While the dam currently poses a low risk, there is no documented emergency action plan in place for this structure.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Shaw Lake Dam offers a unique opportunity to explore the intersection of human-made structures and natural ecosystems. With its recreational purpose and location in a picturesque setting, this dam serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between human intervention and environmental stewardship. As efforts to mitigate climate change and protect water resources continue, understanding the role of dams like Shaw Lake in water management becomes increasingly important.
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 Shaw Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Yocum Creek Near Oak Grove | 8 cfs | → |
| Bull Creek Near Walnut Shade | 33 cfs | → |
| Kings River Near Berryville | 136 cfs | → |
| James River At Galena | 436 cfs | → |
| Beaver Creek At Bradleyville | 107 cfs | → |
| Finley Creek Below Riverdale | 76 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Shaw Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Clevenger Cove Boat Launch
- Dale Avenue 517, Taney County
- State Park Drive 5272, Taney County
- Table Rock Lakeshore Trail Stone County
- Moonshine Beach Boat Ramp
Campgrounds
- Cricket Creek
- Long Creek - Table Rock Lake
- Drury-Mincy Conservation Area - Mdc
- Old Highway 86 - Table Rock Lake
- Andrews Landing
- Branson City Campground
Track Shaw Lake 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 Shaw Lake Dam
Where does the data for Shaw Lake 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 Low 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 Shaw Lake Dam.