Mirror Lake dam
Mirror Lake
Mirror Lake, located in Allison, Arkansas, is a federal-owned reservoir primarily used for fish and wildlife purposes. Built in 1940 by the USDA Forest Service, this masonry dam stands at 27 feet tall and spans 187 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 23 acre-feet. The reservoir covers a surface area of 5 acres and is fed by the Blanchard River, offering a picturesque setting for recreation enthusiasts and nature lovers.
Despite its low hazard potential, Mirror Lake poses a very high risk due to its location and structural characteristics. The dam features a controlled spillway with valve outlet gates and has a maximum discharge capacity of 118 cubic feet per second. The reservoir is maintained by the Forest Service and falls under the regulatory oversight of the Fish and Wildlife Service. Although the condition assessment is currently not rated, regular inspections are conducted every 10 years to ensure the safety and integrity of the dam.
With its tranquil waters and scenic surroundings, Mirror Lake serves as a vital habitat for local wildlife and a popular destination for outdoor activities. As a key component of the ecosystem in Stone County, Arkansas, this reservoir plays a crucial role in water resource management and conservation efforts. Enthusiasts of water resources and climate will find Mirror Lake to be a fascinating blend of natural beauty and engineering ingenuity, offering a unique opportunity to appreciate the intersection of human and environmental interactions in a delicate ecosystem.
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 Mirror Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| North Sylamore Creek Near Fifty Six | 5 cfs | → |
| White River At Calico Rock | 4,310 cfs | → |
| White River Near Norfork | 2,160 cfs | → |
| Middle Fork Of Little Red River At Shirley | 52 cfs | → |
| Buffalo River Near Harriet | 347 cfs | → |
| South Fork Of Little Red River At Clinton | 17 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Mirror Lake.
Boat launches
- Ar 5 Stone County
- Mcphearson Terrace Baxter County
- Fishermans Street 297, Norfork
- Riverview Trail 1198, Norfork
- Norfork River Road 49, Norfork
- Shipps Ferry Road Baxter County
Campgrounds
- Blanchard Springs Campgrounds
- Blanchard Springs
- Gunner Pool Recreation Area
- Gunner Pool
- Barkshed
- Barkshed Recreation Area
Fishing spots
Track Mirror Lake 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 Mirror Lake
Where does the data for Mirror Lake 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 Mirror Lake.