Goforth Lake Dam dam
Goforth Lake Dam
Goforth Lake Dam, located in Independence County, Arkansas, was completed in 1969 and serves multiple purposes including fire protection, stock, and small fish pond management. The dam, classified as an earth dam, stands at a structural height of 24 feet with a hydraulic height of 20 feet. It impounds the waters of Gravel Creek, creating a reservoir with a normal storage capacity of 40 acre-feet and a maximum storage of 88 acre-feet.
Managed by a private entity, Goforth Lake Dam has a low hazard potential and has not been rated for its condition assessment. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam is equipped to handle a maximum discharge of 320 cubic feet per second. The dam does not fall under state jurisdiction for regulation, inspection, permitting, or enforcement, making it primarily the responsibility of the private owner. While there are no associated structures or locks with the dam, it serves as a vital resource for fire protection, recreational activities, and wildlife management in the area.
With its strategic location and multipurpose design, Goforth Lake Dam plays a crucial role in water resource management and climate resilience efforts in the region. As a key infrastructure for fire protection, stock management, and recreational activities, the dam contributes to the overall water security and ecosystem health of the area. While its low hazard potential suggests minimal risk, ongoing monitoring and maintenance are essential to ensure the continued safety and functionality of Goforth Lake Dam for both human and environmental benefits.
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 Goforth Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| White River At Batesville | 38,000 cfs | → |
| Black River At Elgin Ferry | 4,410 cfs | → |
| White River At Newport | 7,910 cfs | → |
| Black River At Black Rock | 4,010 cfs | → |
| Little Red River Near Dewey | 220 cfs | → |
| Spring River At Town Branch Bridge At Hardy | 393 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Goforth Lake Dam.
Boat launches
Fishing spots
Track Goforth 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 Goforth Lake Dam
Where does the data for Goforth 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 Goforth Lake Dam.