Natural Springs Dam dam
Natural Springs Dam
Natural Springs Dam, also known as Fountain Lake Dam, is a privately owned structure situated in Owensville, Arkansas. Constructed in 1963, this earth dam stands at a height of 30 feet and serves primarily for recreational purposes. With a storage capacity of 120 acre-feet and a drainage area of 0.48 square miles, the dam impounds the South Fork Saline River-TR, creating an 8.5-acre surface area for recreational activities.
Maintained by the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission (ANRC), the dam has a significant hazard potential and has not been rated for its condition assessment. Despite its age, the dam underwent its last inspection in October 2014, with a frequency of zero inspections reported. The surrounding area is at risk of inundation, but there is no Emergency Action Plan (EAP) in place, indicating a need for improved risk management measures and guidelines to ensure public safety in case of emergencies.
Although the dam has not been modified in recent years and lacks certain safety features like spillways and outlet gates, its historical significance in providing recreational opportunities cannot be understated. With its picturesque location and potential risks, the Natural Springs Dam serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between water resource utilization and the need for robust infrastructure to withstand climate challenges.
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 Natural Springs Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| West Fork Hot Springs Creek At Hot Springs | · | → |
| Ouachita River At Remmel Dam Above Jones Mill | 292 cfs | → |
| Alum Fork Saline River Near Reform | 178 cfs | → |
| Saline River At Benton | 360 cfs | → |
| Maumelle River At Williams Junction | 19 cfs | → |
| Fourche Lafave River Near Aplin | 58 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Natural Springs Dam.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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About Natural Springs Dam
Where does the data for Natural Springs 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 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 below 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.
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.