James Fork Dam & Reservoir dam
James Fork Dam & Reservoir
James Fork Dam & Reservoir, located in Sebastian County, Arkansas, is a captivating site for water resource and climate enthusiasts. Completed in 1991, this earth dam stands at a height of 81 feet and has a structural height of 94 feet, with a maximum storage capacity of 8390 acre-feet and a normal storage of 4752 acre-feet. The reservoir spans an area of 212 acres and is fed by the Poteau River-TRS, with a drainage area of 10.2 square miles.
The primary purpose of James Fork Dam & Reservoir is recreation, offering a picturesque setting for outdoor activities such as boating, fishing, and wildlife viewing. It also serves as a source of water supply for the surrounding area. The dam is regulated by the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission (ANRC) and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its safety and compliance with state regulations.
With a high hazard potential and a condition assessment that is currently not rated, James Fork Dam & Reservoir presents an intriguing opportunity for water resource and climate enthusiasts to explore the intersection of infrastructure, environmental management, and recreational use. As a key feature in the Tulda District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, this site offers a unique blend of natural beauty and engineering prowess that is sure to captivate visitors and researchers alike.
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 James Fork Dam & Reservoir -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Poteau River At Cauthron | 21 cfs | → |
| Poteau River At Loving | 35 cfs | → |
| James Fork Near Hackett | 15 cfs | → |
| Black Fork Below Big Creek Nr Page | 22 cfs | → |
| Poteau River Near Panama | 186 cfs | → |
| Petit Jean River Near Booneville | 24 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near James Fork Dam & Reservoir.
Boat launches
- Brown Quail Trace Barling
- Old Harbor Road 10766, Fort Smith
- Cedar Lake Road Le Flore County
- Ok 9a Arkoma
- Fort Coffee
Campgrounds
- Little Pines
- Little Pines Recreation Area
- Queen Wilhelmina State Park
- Below The Dam - Lake Wister State Park
- Fort Chaffee Rv Military
- Quarry Island - Lake Wister State Park
Fishing spots
Track James Fork Dam & Reservoir 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 James Fork Dam & Reservoir
Where does the data for James Fork Dam & Reservoir 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 High 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 James Fork Dam & Reservoir.