Yellow Lake dam
Yellow Lake
Yellow Lake, located in Jefferson County, Arkansas, is a Federal-owned earth dam structure designed by the US Army Corps of Engineers for the primary purpose of serving as a Fish and Wildlife Pond. Completed in 1943, this dam stands at a height of 15 feet and has a hydraulic height of 14 feet, with a storage capacity of 2060 acre-feet. The lake covers a surface area of 260 acres and is regulated by the US Army, with a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating.
Managed by the US Army, Yellow Lake provides important habitat for fish and wildlife while also offering recreational opportunities for visitors. The dam has a spillway width of 20 feet and no outlet gates, with a drainage area of 1 square mile. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam undergoes inspection every 4 years to ensure its structural integrity and safety. While the condition assessment is currently not available, the dam's risk management measures are in place to address any potential risks associated with its operation.
Overall, Yellow Lake serves as a vital water resource in Arkansas, providing a balance between conservation efforts and recreational activities for the local community. With its historical significance dating back to the 1940s, the dam continues to be a key feature in the landscape, contributing to the ecological diversity of the area. As climate change impacts water resources, the management of Yellow Lake remains crucial for maintaining a sustainable balance between conservation, recreation, and risk mitigation.
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 Yellow Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Creek Near Sheridan | 21 cfs | → |
| Saline River Near Sheridan | 206 cfs | → |
| Bayou Meto Near Lonoke | 46 cfs | → |
| Rock Creek At 36th Street At Little Rock | 16 cfs | → |
| Saline River At Benton | 101 cfs | → |
| Maumelle River At Maumelle Dam At Natural Steps | · | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Yellow Lake .
Boat launches
- Pine Bluff Arsenal Jefferson County
- Tar Camp Creek Road Jefferson County
- Island Harbor Marina Road 1772, Pine Bluff
- Beachfront Drive Pine Bluff
- Saint Marie Park Road Pine Bluff
- Pulaski County
Campgrounds
- Pine Bluff Aresenal Military
- Tar Camp
- Saracen Trace Rv Park
- Trulock - Arkansas River
- Willow Beach
- Rising Star
Fishing spots
Track Yellow Lake 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 Yellow Lake
Where does the data for Yellow 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 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 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 Yellow Lake .