Payne Lake Dam dam
Payne Lake Dam
Payne Lake Dam, located in Riverview, Conway County, Arkansas, was completed in 1956 for recreational purposes. The dam, primarily owned and managed by a private entity, stands at a structural height of 14 feet and has a hydraulic height of 14 feet. With a storage capacity of 120 acre-feet, the dam serves as a popular recreational spot for water resource and climate enthusiasts in the area.
Despite its low hazard potential, Payne Lake Dam has not been rated for its current condition. The dam does not fall under state jurisdiction and is not regulated or inspected by state agencies. Additionally, there are no emergency action plans in place for the dam, and the last inspection date as well as the inspection frequency are unknown. However, with its serene surroundings and ample storage capacity, Payne Lake Dam continues to attract visitors seeking a peaceful retreat amidst the beautiful landscape.
Although lacking in some regulatory oversight, Payne Lake Dam remains a beloved recreational spot in Arkansas. With its tranquil waters and picturesque setting along the Arkansas River, the dam offers a peaceful escape for nature enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers. While there may be some uncertainties regarding its maintenance and inspection practices, the dam's charm and recreational opportunities make it a must-visit destination for those passionate about water resources and climate conservation.
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 Payne Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Fourche Lafave River Near Aplin | 69 cfs | → |
| Maumelle River At Williams Junction | 1 cfs | → |
| West Fork Point Remove Creek Near Hattieville | 56 cfs | → |
| Lake Maumelle At State Hwy 10 Near Wye | 293 cfs | → |
| Alum Fork Saline River Near Reform | 1 cfs | → |
| Maumelle River At Maumelle Dam At Natural Steps | · | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Payne Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Yellow Mtb Trail Faulkner County
- Lake Front Drive Illinois Township
- Wildlife Observation Trail Pope County
- Maumelle Park Road Pulaski County
- West Colonel Glenn Road Saline County
- Main Current Mtb Trail Little Rock
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Forest Road 132c To Forest Raod 179
- Headwaters Sec 2, T2n, R18w To Forest Road 132c
- Forest Road 179 To East Line Of Nw 1/4 Sec 22, T2n, R17w
- East Line Of Nw 1/4, Sec 22, T2n, R17w To West Line Of Sec 26, T2n, R17w
- Lake Winona Dam To Southern Line Of Sec 16, T2n, R17w
- Headwaters Sec 2, T1n, R20w To Sec 7, T1n, R19w
Track Payne 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 Payne Lake Dam
Where does the data for Payne 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 Payne Lake Dam.