Brewer Lake dam
Brewer Lake
Brewer Lake, located in Conway, Arkansas, is a significant water supply reservoir completed in 1983 with a storage capacity of 23,500 acre-feet. The dam, primarily used for water supply purposes, stands at a height of 83 feet and stretches 1374 feet in length. The lake covers a surface area of 1165 acres and has a drainage area of 36.4 square miles, fed by Cypress Creek.
Managed by the local government and regulated by the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission, Brewer Lake plays a crucial role in ensuring water security for the region. With a maximum discharge capacity of 41,000 cubic feet per second, the dam poses a significant hazard potential and is subject to regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity. Despite its importance as a water resource, the condition of Brewer Lake dam has not been formally rated, highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring and risk management measures to safeguard against potential emergencies.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate will find Brewer Lake an intriguing case study in the management of essential water infrastructure. From its construction in the early 1980s to its current regulatory framework and risk assessment, the lake serves as a vital source of water supply for the community while also posing challenges in terms of maintenance and emergency preparedness. As climate change continues to impact water resources, understanding the dynamics of reservoir management at sites like Brewer Lake becomes increasingly crucial for ensuring sustainable access to water in the face of evolving environmental conditions.
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 Brewer Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cadron Creek Near Guy | 36 cfs | → |
| West Fork Point Remove Creek Near Hattieville | 78 cfs | → |
| Lake Maumelle At State Hwy 10 Near Wye | 293 cfs | → |
| South Fork Of Little Red River At Clinton | 18 cfs | → |
| Maumelle River At Maumelle Dam At Natural Steps | · | → |
| Maumelle River At Williams Junction | 19 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Brewer Lake.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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About Brewer Lake
Where does the data for Brewer Lake 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 Significant 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 below 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.
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.