Byrd Lake Dam dam
Byrd Lake Dam
Byrd Lake Dam, located in Drew County, Arkansas, was completed in 1957 and is primarily used for recreational purposes. Managed by private owners, the dam was designed by the USDA NRCS and stands at a structural height of 11 feet with a hydraulic height of 8 feet. The dam has a normal storage capacity of 70 acre-feet and a maximum storage capacity of 110 acre-feet, serving as a low-hazard structure with a condition assessment currently listed as "Not Rated."
The dam, situated on the Lower Cut-Off Creek tributary, falls under the Vicksburg District jurisdiction and is represented in Congress by Bruce Westerman. With no state regulation or inspection required, Byrd Lake Dam remains a pivotal feature for water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in the maintenance and management of earth-type dams. Despite lacking recent assessment data, the dam continues to provide essential recreational opportunities while operating under private ownership and oversight from the Natural Resources Conservation Service.
As a key component of the local landscape, Byrd Lake Dam offers a unique glimpse into the intersection of infrastructure and environmental stewardship in Arkansas. With its modest height and storage capacity, the dam symbolizes the importance of responsible dam construction and maintenance in ensuring water resource sustainability. For enthusiasts passionate about water conservation and climate resilience, Byrd Lake Dam serves as a prime example of how human-made structures can harmoniously coexist with natural ecosystems while providing valuable recreational benefits to the community.
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 Byrd Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Bayou Bartholomew At Garrett Bridge | 9 cfs | → |
| Bayou Bartholomew Near Mcgehee | 26 cfs | → |
| Saline River Near Rye | 479 cfs | → |
| Bayou Bartholomew Near Portland | 47 cfs | → |
| Moro Creek Near Fordyce | 1,580 cfs | → |
| Bayou Macon At Eudora | 21 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Byrd Lake Dam.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Track Byrd 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 Byrd Lake Dam
Where does the data for Byrd 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 Byrd Lake Dam.