Storm Creek dam
Storm Creek
Storm Creek, a federally-owned dam located in Helena, Arkansas, serves as a vital resource for fish and wildlife conservation and recreational activities. Built in 1939 by the USDA Forest Service, this earth dam stands at a height of 57 feet and spans a length of 1330 feet, with a storage capacity of 7650 acre-feet and a surface area of 510 acres. The dam is equipped with a controlled spillway and valve outlet gates, ensuring efficient water management and flood control in the area.
Despite being classified as a low hazard potential structure, Storm Creek poses a very high risk due to its location and potential impact on the surrounding environment. With a drainage area of 9 square miles and a maximum discharge rate of 522 cubic feet per second, the dam requires regular inspections and maintenance to ensure its structural integrity and safety. The last inspection in 2015 revealed the dam to be in satisfactory condition, although its emergency action plan and risk management measures have not been fully assessed.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, it is crucial to monitor and support the maintenance of dams like Storm Creek to protect the local ecosystem and water supply. By understanding the significance of these structures in managing water resources and mitigating potential risks, we can work towards sustainable practices that preserve the natural environment and ensure the safety of communities downstream.
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 Storm Creek -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Big Sunflower River At Clarksdale | 1 cfs | → |
| Languille River At Palestine | 1,220 cfs | → |
| Languille River Near Colt | 601 cfs | → |
| Hotopha Creek Nr Batesville | 13 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River At Memphis | 526,000 cfs | → |
| White River At Devalls Bluff | 10,900 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Storm Creek.
Track Storm Creek 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 Storm Creek
Where does the data for Storm Creek 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 Storm Creek.