Willies Lake Dam dam
Willies Lake Dam
Willies Lake Dam, also known as Wells Lake Dam, is a Federal-owned structure located in Sebastian County, Arkansas. Completed in 1942, the primary purpose of this Earth-type dam is for recreation and water supply. Situated on the Little Vache Grasse Creek, the dam has a hydraulic height of 14 feet and a structural height of 17 feet, with a storage capacity of 119 acres.
With a low hazard potential and a condition assessment of 'Not Rated', Willies Lake Dam serves as a vital resource for the surrounding area. While not regulated by the state, the dam provides important recreational opportunities and water supply functions for the community. Despite not having a designated inspection frequency, the dam continues to play a crucial role in managing water resources in the region.
Managed by the Tulsa District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, Willies Lake Dam remains a key landmark in Ft Chaffee, providing both residents and visitors with a beautiful and functional water resource. The dam's historical significance, combined with its practical purposes, make it an essential component of the local ecosystem and a valuable asset for water resource and climate enthusiasts to explore and appreciate.
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 Willies Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas River At Ft. Smith | 2,720 cfs | → |
| James Fork Near Hackett | 20 cfs | → |
| Lee Creek Near Short | 94 cfs | → |
| Poteau River Near Panama | 274 cfs | → |
| Lee Creek At Short | 81 cfs | → |
| Little Lee Creek Near Short | 12 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Willies Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Old Harbor Road 10766, Fort Smith
- Brown Quail Trace Barling
- Ok 9a Arkoma
- North Water Street 2885, Van Buren
- Fort Coffee
Campgrounds
- Fort Chaffee Rv Military
- Lee Creek Public Use Area
- Charleston Lake
- Fort Smith Alma Rv Park
- River Ridge - Ozark Lake
- Vine Prairie
Fishing spots
Track Willies 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 Willies Lake Dam
Where does the data for Willies 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 Willies Lake Dam.