John Bentley Dam Reservoir Report

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

John Bentley Dam, located in Perry County, Arkansas, is a private earth dam completed in 1999 primarily for recreational purposes.


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Summary

This dam, situated on a Maumelle River tributary, has a height of 29 feet and a storage capacity of 75 acre-feet. While the dam is not federally owned or funded, it is regulated and inspected by the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission to ensure compliance with state permitting and enforcement measures.

Despite its modest size, John Bentley Dam poses a high hazard potential, although its condition assessment is currently not rated. The dam has not been modified since its completion and lacks certain safety features such as spillways or outlet gates. Emergency action plans and risk assessments for the dam have not been prepared or updated, raising concerns about its ability to mitigate potential hazards in the event of a failure. The dam's location in a high-risk area underscores the importance of proactive risk management measures to ensure the safety of surrounding communities and the resilience of the water resource infrastructure in the face of changing climate conditions.

Year Completed

1999

Dam Length

1700

Dam Height

29

River Or Stream

MAUMELLE RIVER TRIBUTARY

Primary Dam Type

Earth

Surface Area

14

Hydraulic Height

28.2

Drainage Area

0.11

Nid Storage

75

Hazard Potential

High

Nid Height

29
       
Seasonal Comparison

Weather Forecast

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. Note: Rare or extreme event is defined by the regulatory agency based on their minimum
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. Investigations and studies are necessary.
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.
Not Available
Dams for which the condition assessment is restricted to approved government users.

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, environment 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.
Not Available
Dams for which the downstream hazard potential is restricted to approved government users.