Bates Lake Dam dam
Bates Lake Dam
Bates Lake Dam, located in Pocahontas, Arkansas, was completed in 1968 for the primary purpose of recreation. Managed by a private owner, this earth dam stands at a structural height of 25 feet and has a hydraulic height of 22 feet, with a length of 454 feet. The dam has a moderate risk assessment rating and a low hazard potential, making it a relatively safe structure in terms of potential damage and risk to the surrounding area.
The dam's reservoir has a storage capacity of 70 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 44 acre-feet. It is situated on Mansker Creek, a tributary of the larger Black River system. Despite not being regulated by the state or federal agencies, Bates Lake Dam is periodically inspected to ensure its structural integrity and overall safety. The spillway is uncontrolled with a width of 0 feet, and there are no associated locks or outlet gates with the dam.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts can appreciate Bates Lake Dam for its role in providing recreational opportunities in the area, as well as for its unique design and risk assessment. While not a large or high-hazard dam, its presence on Mansker Creek contributes to the local water management system and adds to the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape. With its low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment, Bates Lake Dam continues to serve its intended purpose while maintaining a level of safety and security for nearby residents and visitors.
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 Bates Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Black River At Pocahontas | 3,120 cfs | → |
| Elevenpoint River Near Ravenden Springs | 607 cfs | → |
| Spring River At Imboden | 441 cfs | → |
| Black River At Black Rock | 4,360 cfs | → |
| Current River At Doniphan | 1,930 cfs | → |
| Black River Near Corning | 754 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bates Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Highway 142 River Access
- East Walnut Street Oregon County
- Sharp County
- State Highway 168 Greene County
- Clay County Road 179 Corning
- Greene County
Campgrounds
- Morgan Spring Float Camp
- Fourche Lake Recreation Area
- Float Camp Recreation Area
- Float Camp
- Deer Leap Recreation Area
- Deer Leap
Fishing spots
- Eleven Point River
- Lake Ashbaugh
- Crowley's Ridge State Park
- Lake Frierson
- June Lake
- Craighead Forest Lake
Track Bates 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 Bates Lake Dam
Where does the data for Bates 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 Bates Lake Dam.