Heda Lake Dam dam
Heda Lake Dam
Heda Lake Dam, located in Washington County, Arkansas, was completed in 1968 and serves as a crucial recreational resource for the community. With a primary purpose of recreation, the dam stands at a hydraulic height of 25 feet and spans a length of 180 feet. The dam has a storage capacity of 51 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 30 acre-feet, making it an important asset for water resource and climate enthusiasts in the region.
Despite being privately owned, Heda Lake Dam is considered low-hazard with a condition assessment of "Not Rated." The dam overlooks the scenic Osage Creek, offering stunning views and opportunities for outdoor activities like fishing and boating. With its strategic location in Lake Francis, the dam contributes to the overall beauty and functionality of the area, making it a popular destination for locals and visitors alike.
While not under state regulation or inspection, Heda Lake Dam remains a well-maintained structure with a solid track record of safety. As a valuable asset for both recreation and water management, the dam plays a significant role in the local ecosystem and serves as a testament to the importance of sustainable water resource management in the face of climate challenges.
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 Heda Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Osage Creek Near Elm Springs | 169 cfs | → |
| Flint Creek At Springtown | 5 cfs | → |
| Osage Creek Near Cave Springs | 33 cfs | → |
| Illinois River At Savoy | 64 cfs | → |
| Illinois River At Hwy. 16 Near Siloam Springs Ar | 379 cfs | → |
| Illinois River South Of Siloam Springs | 206 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Heda Lake Dam.
⚓ Boat launches
- Lake Dam Cove Elm Springs
- Cripps Road Benton County
- Lake Atalanta Loop 140, Rogers
- Tunnel Vision Bella Vista
- Tiree Park Bella Vista
- Kensington Drive 38, Bella Vista
⛺ Campgrounds
- Lake Wedington Recreation Area
- Lake Wedington Rec. Area
- Prairie Creek - Beaver Lake
- Vacation Rentals
- Natural Falls State Park
- Rocky Branch - Beaver Lake
🎣 Fishing spots
More fishing →Track Heda 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 Heda Lake Dam
Where does the data for Heda 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 Heda Lake Dam.