Oakley Lake Dam dam
Oakley Lake Dam
Oakley Lake Dam, located in Jefferson County, Arkansas, is a privately owned structure primarily used for recreation purposes. Constructed in 1959 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at a hydraulic height of 12 feet and a structural height of 13 feet, with a length of 1420 feet. With a storage capacity of 63 acre-feet, the dam serves as a vital resource for the surrounding area, offering a serene lake for outdoor activities such as fishing, boating, and picnicking.
Despite its low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment, Oakley Lake Dam has not been inspected or assessed for condition status. While the dam currently meets safety guidelines, there is no emergency action plan in place, raising concerns about preparedness in case of any unforeseen events. With a maximum discharge capacity of 212 cubic feet per second, the uncontrolled spillway type poses potential risks that should be addressed through regular inspections and maintenance to ensure the safety and integrity of the dam for both recreational and environmental purposes.
As an essential feature of the Nevins Creek watershed, Oakley Lake Dam plays a crucial role in water resource management and climate resilience in the region. With its picturesque setting and recreational opportunities, it serves as a valuable asset for the local community while also highlighting the importance of sustainable dam operations and maintenance practices to safeguard the surrounding ecosystem and ensure long-term water security for future generations.
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 Oakley Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Creek Near Sheridan | 53 cfs | → |
| Saline River Near Sheridan | 289 cfs | → |
| Moro Creek Near Fordyce | 1,580 cfs | → |
| Bayou Bartholomew At Garrett Bridge | 114 cfs | → |
| Saline River Near Rye | 778 cfs | → |
| Bayou Meto Near Lonoke | 224 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Oakley Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Beachfront Drive Pine Bluff
- Saint Marie Park Road Pine Bluff
- Pine Bluff Arsenal Jefferson County
- Island Harbor Marina Road 1772, Pine Bluff
- Tar Camp Creek Road Jefferson County
Campgrounds
- Saracen Trace Rv Park
- Pine Bluff Aresenal Military
- Trulock - Arkansas River
- Rising Star
- Tar Camp
- Cane Creek State Park
Fishing spots
Track Oakley 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 Oakley Lake Dam
Where does the data for Oakley 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 Oakley Lake Dam.