Red Oak Upper Dam dam
Red Oak Upper Dam
Red Oak Upper Dam, located in Garland County, Arkansas, was completed in 1999 and serves as a popular recreational spot for water and climate enthusiasts. The dam is privately owned and is regulated by the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission, with state permitting, inspection, and enforcement in place to ensure its safety and compliance. The significant hazard potential of the dam highlights the importance of regular inspections and risk management measures.
With a dam height of 36 feet and a storage capacity of 232 acre-feet, Red Oak Upper Dam provides a serene surface area of 17 acres for visitors to enjoy. The dam is primarily used for recreation, offering activities such as fishing, boating, and wildlife viewing in the Ouachita tributary. Despite not having a spillway, the dam features a hydraulic height of 33.5 feet and a structural height of 40 feet, showcasing its engineering design and construction.
Although the condition assessment of Red Oak Upper Dam is currently not rated, its last inspection in 2014 ensures that emergency preparedness measures are in place. While the dam does not fall under the jurisdiction of the US Army Corps of Engineers, its association with the state of Arkansas guarantees proper regulation and oversight. Water resource and climate enthusiasts can appreciate the beauty and functionality of Red Oak Upper Dam while recognizing the importance of its maintenance and risk management efforts.
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 Red Oak Upper Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Ouachita River At Remmel Dam Above Jones Mill | 295 cfs | → |
| West Fork Hot Springs Creek At Hot Springs | · | → |
| Saline River At Benton | 466 cfs | → |
| Alum Fork Saline River Near Reform | 37 cfs | → |
| Maumelle River At Williams Junction | 8 cfs | → |
| Caddo River Near Caddo Gap | 62 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Red Oak Upper Dam.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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About Red Oak Upper Dam
Where does the data for Red Oak Upper 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 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.