Sanderson Dam dam
Sanderson Dam
Sanderson Dam, located in Hot Springs, Arkansas, was completed in 1925 and serves as a crucial water supply source for the area. The dam stands at a height of 48.8 feet with a hydraulic height of 46.1 feet, containing a maximum storage capacity of 608 acre-feet and a normal storage capacity of 517 acre-feet. The reservoir created by the dam covers an area of 56 acres and has a drainage area of 2.2 square miles, with the Bull Bayou-TR river or stream flowing through it.
Managed by the local government, Sanderson Dam is regulated by the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission (ANRC) and undergoes regular state inspection, permitting, and enforcement processes. With a significant hazard potential and condition assessment not rated, the dam's emergency action plan (EAP) status and risk management measures are currently not specified. The dam, classified as a gravity type, has not been modified over the years and does not have any associated locks or spillways.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate conservation will find Sanderson Dam an intriguing structure due to its historical significance, vital role in water supply, and the potential environmental impact it holds. As one of the key water management systems in Montgomery County, Arkansas, the dam's operation and maintenance are essential for ensuring continued water supply reliability and mitigating any potential risks associated with its significant hazard potential. The ongoing monitoring and assessment of Sanderson Dam underscore the importance of sustainable water resource management practices in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 Sanderson Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Ouachita River Near Mount Ida | 451 cfs | → |
| Caddo River Near Caddo Gap | 73 cfs | → |
| Little Missouri River Near Langley | 23 cfs | → |
| Fourche Lafave River Near Gravelly | 231 cfs | → |
| Dutch Creek At Waltreak | · | → |
| Cossatot River Near Vandervoort | 43 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sanderson Dam.
Boat launches
- Montgomery County
- Lake Vista Drive Montgomery County
- Self Creek Ramp Road Daisy
- Daisy State Park - Area East Daisy
- Daisy State Park - Area C Daisy
- Brady Mountain Road Garland County
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- Rocky Shoals Day Use
- Dragover Day Use
- Big Brushy Creek Day Use
- Camp Clear Fork Reservoir
- Clearfork
- Lake Ouachita
Paddle runs
- Highway 298 Bridge Near Sims, Ar To Slackwater Of Lake Ouachita
- Nf Boundary At Pine Ridge, Ar To Highway 298 Bridge Near Sims, Ar
- Sec 30, T3s, R27w To Sec 19, T4s, R24w
- Headwaters In Sec 8, T1s, R31w To Nf Boundary At Acorn, Ar
- Headwaters Sec 2, T1n, R20w To Sec 7, T1n, R19w
- Lake Winona Dam To Southern Line Of Sec 16, T2n, R17w
Track Sanderson 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 Sanderson Dam
Where does the data for Sanderson 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 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 Sanderson Dam.