Lake Sophia Dam dam
Lake Sophia Dam
Lake Sophia Dam, located in Saline, Arkansas, is a private earth dam completed in 2004 primarily for recreational purposes. With a height of 26.5 feet and a storage capacity of 420.7 acre-feet, the dam boasts a surface area of 36.48 acres and a drainage area of 0.88 square miles. Despite its low hazard potential and unassessed condition, the dam is subject to state regulation, inspection, and enforcement by the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission.
Managed by private owners, Lake Sophia Dam offers a serene escape for water resource and climate enthusiasts seeking recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and wildlife observation. Situated within the Little Rock District and overseen by Representative J. French Hill, the dam stands as a picturesque landmark in the heart of the Natural State. While lacking a spillway and emergency action plan, the dam's risk management measures remain undefined, leaving room for potential enhancements in safety and sustainability efforts.
As a vital component of the local ecosystem, Lake Sophia Dam serves as a valuable resource for both residents and visitors alike. With its tranquil waters and scenic surroundings, the dam provides a haven for outdoor enthusiasts to appreciate the beauty of nature while promoting responsible stewardship of water resources in Arkansas. Whether enjoying a leisurely day on the lake or participating in conservation efforts, Lake Sophia Dam continues to play a crucial role in balancing recreational enjoyment with environmental preservation in the region.
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 Lake Sophia Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Alum Fork Saline River Near Reform | 178 cfs | → |
| Saline River At Benton | 360 cfs | → |
| Ouachita River At Remmel Dam Above Jones Mill | 292 cfs | → |
| West Fork Hot Springs Creek At Hot Springs | · | → |
| Maumelle River At Williams Junction | 19 cfs | → |
| Lake Maumelle At State Hwy 10 Near Wye | 293 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Sophia Dam.
Boat launches
See all →
Campgrounds
See all →
Fishing spots
See all →
River runs
See all →
About Lake Sophia Dam
Where does the data for Lake Sophia 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 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.