Alter Lake No 2 Dam dam
Alter Lake No 2 Dam
Located in Arkansas, the Alter Lake No 2 Dam, constructed in 1968 by the USDA NRCS, stands as a testament to effective water resource management. With a primary purpose of recreation, this earth dam on Caney Bayou boasts a hydraulic height of 7 feet and a structural height of 11 feet, providing a serene environment for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy. The dam has a NID storage capacity of 244 acre-feet, with a maximum storage of 244 acre-feet and a normal storage of 140 acre-feet, ensuring a steady water supply for recreational activities.
Despite being privately owned, Alter Lake No 2 Dam is regulated by the state of Arkansas, with no state permitting, inspection, or enforcement required. With a low hazard potential and a condition assessment listed as "Not Rated," the dam remains a safe and reliable structure for the surrounding community. While specific details such as surface area and drainage area are not provided, the dam's maximum discharge capacity of 1680 cubic feet per second showcases its ability to manage water flow effectively in times of high demand. Overall, Alter Lake No 2 Dam stands as a symbol of responsible water management and sustainable recreational infrastructure in Arkansas.
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 Alter Lake No 2 Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Bayou Bartholomew At Garrett Bridge | 19 cfs | → |
| White River At Devalls Bluff | 13,200 cfs | → |
| Big Sunflower River At Clarksdale | 1 cfs | → |
| Bayou Bartholomew Near Mcgehee | 66 cfs | → |
| Big Sunflower River Nr Merigold | 338 cfs | → |
| Bayou Meto Near Lonoke | 228 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Alter Lake No 2 Dam.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Merrisach Lake Park - Merrisach Lake
- Notrebes Bend
- Pendleton Bend
- Wilbur D Mills
- Rising Star
- Riverfront Rv Park
Fishing spots
Track Alter Lake No 2 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 Alter Lake No 2 Dam
Where does the data for Alter Lake No 2 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 Alter Lake No 2 Dam.