Baker Lake Dam dam
Baker Lake Dam
Baker Lake Dam, located in Leslie, Arkansas, is a privately owned structure primarily used for recreation purposes. Completed in 1958, this earth dam stands at a hydraulic height of 18 feet with a length of 500 feet. It has a storage capacity of 54 acre-feet, making it a significant resource for the surrounding area. Despite not being state regulated or inspected, the dam is classified as having a significant hazard potential.
The dam, situated on Begley Creek-TR, falls under the jurisdiction of the Little Rock District and is not federally owned or funded. With no associated structures or locks, Baker Lake Dam serves as a vital component for water storage and recreational activities in Searcy County, Arkansas. While its condition remains unrated and emergency action plans are not available, the dam continues to play a crucial role in managing water resources in the region.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Baker Lake Dam presents an interesting case study in privately owned infrastructure. Its historical significance, storage capacity, and hazard potential make it a noteworthy feature in the Arkansas landscape. As discussions around dam safety and maintenance continue, Baker Lake Dam serves as a reminder of the importance of managing and maintaining water resources for both recreational and practical purposes.
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 Baker Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Bear Creek Near Silver Hill | 18 cfs | → |
| Buffalo River Near St. Joe | 379 cfs | → |
| Buffalo River Near Harriet | 510 cfs | → |
| South Fork Of Little Red River At Clinton | 31 cfs | → |
| Middle Fork Of Little Red River At Shirley | 69 cfs | → |
| North Sylamore Creek Near Fifty Six | 5 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Baker Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Ar 5 Stone County
- Cleburne County
- Edgemont Road Greers Ferry
- Tice Road 199, Cleburne County
- Hill Creek Road Cleburne County
Campgrounds
- South Maumee
- Buffalo Point Loop A
- Tyler Bend Walk-In Tent Sites
- Buffalo Point B Loop
- Buffalo Point Group Campground
- Tyler Bend Drive-In Campsites
Fishing spots
Track Baker 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 Baker Lake Dam
Where does the data for Baker 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 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 Baker Lake Dam.