Darby dam
Darby
Darby, also known as Darby Lake Dam, is a federally owned water resource structure located in Charleston, Arkansas. Constructed in 1956 by the US Army, this earth dam stands at a height of 27 feet and serves primarily for water supply purposes, with a storage capacity of 1123 acre-feet. The dam also plays a role in flood risk reduction for the area, with a spillway width of 200 feet that can handle a maximum discharge of 4125 cubic feet per second.
Situated on Tr Prairie Creek, Darby Lake Dam covers a surface area of 150 acres and has a normal storage capacity of 516 acre-feet. Despite its age, the dam's hazard potential is rated as significant, with a moderate risk assessment. While the condition assessment is not available, the dam has undergone inspections with the last one conducted in July 1992. The Emergency Action Plan (EAP) for Darby is dated back to 2008, indicating preparedness in case of any emergencies related to the dam's operation.
Overall, Darby Lake Dam stands as a vital infrastructure for water supply and flood risk management in the region, showcasing the collaboration between the US Army and the Natural Resources Conservation Service in its design and construction. With its historical significance and ongoing operational role, Darby continues to be a key asset in ensuring water resource sustainability and safety in Franklin County, Arkansas.
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 Darby -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Petit Jean River Near Booneville | 31 cfs | → |
| James Fork Near Hackett | 17 cfs | → |
| Arkansas River At Ft. Smith | 232 cfs | → |
| Mulberry River Near Mulberry. Ar | 227 cfs | → |
| Poteau River At Cauthron | 24 cfs | → |
| Lee Creek Near Short | 89 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Darby .
Boat launches
- Brown Quail Trace Barling
- Old Harbor Road 10766, Fort Smith
- Aux Arcade Park Road Ozark
- Logan County
- Cove Lake Bathhouse Road Logan County
Campgrounds
- Charleston Lake
- Booneville Municipal Park
- River Ridge - Ozark Lake
- Dogwood Drive - Lake Eufaula State Park
- Magazine Municipal Rv Park
- Vine Prairie
Fishing spots
Track Darby 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 Darby
Where does the data for Darby 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 Darby .