Bluff Lake Dam dam
Bluff Lake Dam
Bluff Lake Dam, located in Stone, Arkansas, was completed in 1964 and stands at a height of 40 feet, with a length of 320 feet. The dam serves primarily for recreational purposes, providing a serene setting for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy the waters of Five Mile Creek-TR. With a storage capacity of 527 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 208 acre-feet, the dam covers a surface area of 6 acres within its drainage area of 0.3 square miles.
Owned privately, Bluff Lake Dam is regulated by the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission (ANRC) and is subject to state inspection, permitting, and enforcement. Despite being categorized as low hazard potential, the dam's condition assessment remains unrated as of the last inspection in 2008. While the dam does not feature a spillway, it is equipped with outlet gates for water release if necessary. The vicinity of the dam is under the jurisdiction of the Memphis District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, ensuring proper management and oversight of the water resource for the local community.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Bluff Lake Dam presents a fascinating case study in the intersection of recreation and environmental stewardship. As a privately-owned structure with a modest storage capacity, the dam's presence underscores the importance of responsible water management and maintenance to ensure the safety and well-being of surrounding areas. The dam's location in a picturesque setting further highlights the need for sustainable practices to preserve the beauty and functionality of the water resource for generations to come.
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 Bluff Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| White River At Batesville | 43,800 cfs | → |
| Middle Fork Of Little Red River At Shirley | 42 cfs | → |
| Little Red River Near Dewey | 270 cfs | → |
| North Sylamore Creek Near Fifty Six | 5 cfs | → |
| South Fork Of Little Red River At Clinton | 10 cfs | → |
| White River At Calico Rock | 3,240 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bluff Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Ramp Lane 14, Cleburne County
- Belmont Acres Circle Cleburne County
- Cleburne County
- Hill Creek Road Cleburne County
- Edgemont Road Greers Ferry
Campgrounds
- Blanchard Springs Campgrounds
- Blanchard Springs
- Gunner Pool Recreation Area
- Gunner Pool
- Barkshed
- Barkshed Recreation Area
Fishing spots
Track Bluff 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 Bluff Lake Dam
Where does the data for Bluff 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 Bluff Lake Dam.