Blakely Mountain Dam dam
Blakely Mountain Dam
Blakely Mountain Dam, also known as Lake Ouachita, is a federal-owned structure located in Mountain Pine, Arkansas. Completed in 1953, this earth dam stands at 226 feet high and serves multiple purposes including flood risk reduction, hydroelectric power generation, recreation, and water supply for the surrounding area. The dam, managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers, holds a maximum storage capacity of 3,760,700 acre-feet and spans 1,100 feet in length.
However, despite its crucial functions, Blakely Mountain Dam poses a high hazard potential due to the risk of overtopping during major storm events. A risk assessment conducted in 2020 classified the project's risks as moderate, with concerns about potential dam failure and downstream flooding in the event of reservoir overflow. To mitigate these risks, the USACE has implemented a comprehensive risk management plan that includes regular surveillance, monitoring, and inspection of the dam, as well as the installation of interim risk-reduction measures such as berms and seepage collection systems.
In addition to these measures, the USACE engages in community outreach, collaborates with local emergency managers, and conducts regular emergency exercises to ensure preparedness in the event of a dam-related incident. By prioritizing safety and proactive risk management strategies, Blakely Mountain Dam continues to play a vital role in protecting downstream communities while providing essential water resources and recreational opportunities for the region.
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 Blakely Mountain Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| West Fork Hot Springs Creek At Hot Springs | 0 cfs | → |
| Ouachita River At Remmel Dam Above Jones Mill | 282 cfs | → |
| Alum Fork Saline River Near Reform | 1 cfs | → |
| Caddo River Near Caddo Gap | 41 cfs | → |
| Ouachita River Near Mount Ida | 113 cfs | → |
| Fourche Lafave River Near Aplin | 69 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Blakely Mountain Dam.
Boat launches
- Blakely Dam Road Garland County
- Brady Mountain Road Garland County
- Lena Use Area Cove Garland County
- Forest Road Garland County
- Stewart Circle 126, Garland County
- Lake Vista Drive Montgomery County
Campgrounds
- Stephens - Lake Ouachita
- Lake Ouachita State Park
- Brady Mountain - Lake Ouachita
- Lena Landing - Lake Ouachita
- Cedar Glades Park
- Cedar Fourche - Lake Ouachita
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Headwaters Sec 2, T1n, R20w To Sec 7, T1n, R19w
- Highway 298 Bridge Near Sims, Ar To Slackwater Of Lake Ouachita
- Lake Winona Dam To Southern Line Of Sec 16, T2n, R17w
- Headwaters Sec 2, T2n, R18w To Forest Road 132c
- Forest Road 132c To Forest Raod 179
- Forest Road 179 To East Line Of Nw 1/4 Sec 22, T2n, R17w
Track Blakely Mountain Dam 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 Blakely Mountain Dam
Where does the data for Blakely Mountain 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 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 Blakely Mountain Dam.