Green Bear Lake Dam dam
Green Bear Lake Dam
Green Bear Lake Dam, located in Pulaski, Arkansas, is a privately owned structure with its primary purpose being recreation. Built in 1975 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam has a hydraulic height of 15 feet and a structural height of 18 feet, providing a maximum storage capacity of 58 acre-feet. The dam, situated on McHenry Creek, serves as a low hazard potential structure with a moderate risk assessment rating.
Despite not being regulated by the state, Green Bear Lake Dam remains an important feature for water resource and climate enthusiasts in the area. With its uncontrolled spillway type and a maximum discharge of 514 cubic feet per second, the dam contributes to the overall management of water resources in the region. Although its condition is currently not rated, the dam's risk assessment level suggests a need for moderate risk management measures to ensure its continued safety and functionality.
As a key element in the recreational landscape of Little Rock, Green Bear Lake Dam offers both environmental and leisure opportunities for visitors. With its picturesque location and moderate risk profile, the dam serves as a valuable asset in the community, providing a balance between water resource management and recreational enjoyment. For enthusiasts interested in the intersection of water resources and climate resilience, Green Bear Lake Dam stands as a fascinating example of human-built infrastructure in harmony with nature.
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 Green Bear Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Rock Creek At 36th Street At Little Rock | 16 cfs | → |
| Maumelle River At Maumelle Dam At Natural Steps | · | → |
| Saline River At Benton | 97 cfs | → |
| Lake Maumelle At State Hwy 10 Near Wye | 293 cfs | → |
| Maumelle River At Williams Junction | 0 cfs | → |
| Alum Fork Saline River Near Reform | 1 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Green Bear Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- West Colonel Glenn Road Saline County
- Main Current Mtb Trail Little Rock
- Maumelle Park Road Pulaski County
- Cook's Landing Road North Little Rock
- Little Rock
- Arkansas River Trail North Little Rock
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- East Line Of Nw 1/4, Sec 22, T2n, R17w To West Line Of Sec 26, T2n, R17w
- Forest Road 179 To East Line Of Nw 1/4 Sec 22, T2n, R17w
- Forest Road 132c To Forest Raod 179
- Lake Winona Dam To Southern Line Of Sec 16, T2n, R17w
- Headwaters Sec 2, T2n, R18w To Forest Road 132c
- Headwaters Sec 2, T1n, R20w To Sec 7, T1n, R19w
Track Green Bear 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 Green Bear Lake Dam
Where does the data for Green Bear 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 Green Bear Lake Dam.