Lake Wisdom Dam dam
Lake Wisdom Dam
Lake Wisdom Dam, located in Arkansas, was completed in 1956 and serves primarily for recreational purposes. This private-owned earth dam stands at a structural height of 12 feet and has a hydraulic height of 11 feet. With a storage capacity of 80 acre-feet, the dam spans a length of 360 feet and covers a surface area of 14.2 acres. Despite its low hazard potential and current condition being not rated, the dam has not been inspected in recent years.
Situated on the Cypress Bayou-TR river, Lake Wisdom Dam is under the jurisdiction of the Memphis District of the US Army Corps of Engineers. It does not fall under state regulation or permitting. The dam has a maximum discharge capacity of 420 cubic feet per second and a normal storage level of 66 acre-feet. While it lacks certain risk assessment measures and emergency action plans, the dam remains a valuable asset for water resource and climate enthusiasts seeking recreational opportunities in the area.
This dam, managed by a private entity, presents a serene retreat for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. Its picturesque surroundings and purposeful design make it a favorable destination for those interested in exploring the intersection of water resources and climate in Arkansas. With its historical significance and potential for further development, Lake Wisdom Dam stands as a testament to the harmonious coexistence of human-made structures and natural landscapes in the region.
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 Lake Wisdom Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Bayou Bartholomew At Garrett Bridge | 19 cfs | → |
| Bayou Bartholomew Near Mcgehee | 66 cfs | → |
| Big Sunflower River Nr Merigold | 338 cfs | → |
| Big Sunflower River At Clarksdale | 1 cfs | → |
| White River At Devalls Bluff | 13,200 cfs | → |
| Saline River Near Rye | 1,410 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Wisdom Dam.
Boat launches
- Tedford Island Road Arkansas County
- Phillips Road 549 Phillips County
- Monroe County
- Lake Road Bolivar County
Campgrounds
- Merrisach Lake Park - Merrisach Lake
- Notrebes Bend
- Pendleton Bend
- Wilbur D Mills
- Rising Star
- Great River Road State Park
Fishing spots
Track Lake Wisdom 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 Lake Wisdom Dam
Where does the data for Lake Wisdom 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 Lake Wisdom Dam.