Carpenter dam
Carpenter
Carpenter, also known as Lake Hamilton, is a stunning hydroelectric dam located in Garland, Arkansas. Built in 1932, the dam stands at 110 feet high and stretches 1165 feet long, utilizing a gravity design with a multi-arch core and a foundation of rock. Its primary purpose is to generate hydroelectric power, while also serving as a fish and wildlife pond, a recreational area, and a water supply source for the surrounding community.
With a storage capacity of 235,500 acre-feet and a surface area of 6,897 acres, Carpenter plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the region. The dam has a controlled spillway with a width of 453 feet and 10 radial Tainter gates for outlet control. Despite its high hazard potential, regular inspections ensure the safety and integrity of the structure, with the last inspection conducted in September 2020.
Carpenter's strategic location on the Ouachita River, its impressive hydraulic height of 95 feet, and its maximum discharge capacity of 244,000 cubic feet per second make it a key player in water management and climate resilience efforts. As a hydroelectric facility regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Carpenter symbolizes the intersection of sustainable energy production, water conservation, and environmental stewardship in 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 Carpenter -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| West Fork Hot Springs Creek At Hot Springs | 0 cfs | → |
| Ouachita River At Remmel Dam Above Jones Mill | 285 cfs | → |
| Alum Fork Saline River Near Reform | 1 cfs | → |
| Saline River At Benton | 111 cfs | → |
| Maumelle River At Williams Junction | 1 cfs | → |
| Caddo River Near Caddo Gap | 41 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Carpenter .
Boat launches
- Stewart Circle 126, Garland County
- Forest Road Garland County
- Blakely Dam Road Garland County
- Us 67 Midway
- Brady Mountain Road Garland County
- Lena Use Area Cove Garland County
Campgrounds
- Gulpha Gorge Campground
- Gulpha Gorge - Hot Springs National Park
- Lake Catherine State Park
- Cedar Glades Park
- Stephens - Lake Ouachita
- Lake Ouachita State Park
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Headwaters Sec 2, T1n, R20w To Sec 7, T1n, R19w
- Lake Winona Dam To Southern Line Of Sec 16, T2n, R17w
- East Line Of Nw 1/4, Sec 22, T2n, R17w To West Line Of Sec 26, T2n, R17w
- Forest Road 179 To East Line Of Nw 1/4 Sec 22, T2n, R17w
- Headwaters Sec 2, T2n, R18w To Forest Road 132c
- Forest Road 132c To Forest Raod 179
Track Carpenter 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 Carpenter
Where does the data for Carpenter 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 High 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 Carpenter .