Kulp Lake dam
Kulp Lake
Kulp Lake, located in Scott County, Arkansas, is a privately owned reservoir primarily used for hydroelectric power generation. Built in 1988, the earth dam stands at a height of 30 feet and spans a length of 530 feet, with a maximum storage capacity of 66 acre-feet. The lake covers a surface area of 7 acres and has a drainage area of 0.1 square miles, with a low hazard potential and a condition assessment that is currently not rated.
The dam is regulated by the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission (ANRC) and is subject to state permitting, inspection, and enforcement. While the primary purpose of Kulp Lake is hydroelectric power generation, it also serves for irrigation and other purposes. The reservoir is situated along the Fourche LaFave-TR river and falls under the jurisdiction of the Little Rock District of the US Army Corps of Engineers.
Despite its relatively small size, Kulp Lake plays a significant role in water resource management and climate resilience efforts in the region. Enthusiasts interested in the intersection of water resources and climate change will find Kulp Lake a fascinating case study of a privately owned reservoir contributing to sustainable energy production and water supply in Arkansas.
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 Kulp Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Poteau River At Cauthron | 24 cfs | → |
| Poteau River At Loving | 38 cfs | → |
| Black Fork Below Big Creek Nr Page | 23 cfs | → |
| Ouachita River Near Mount Ida | 113 cfs | → |
| Petit Jean River Near Booneville | 31 cfs | → |
| Cossatot River Near Vandervoort | 17 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Kulp Lake.
Campgrounds
- Mill Creek Family Camp
- Little Pines Recreation Area
- Little Pines
- Queen Wilhelmina State Park
- Big Brushy
- Shirley Creek
Fishing spots
- Irons Fork Reservoir
- Truman Baker Lake
- Lake Hinkle
- Lake Wilhelmina
- Big Brushy Creek Day Use
- Rocky Shoals Day Use
Track Kulp 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 Kulp Lake
Where does the data for Kulp 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 Kulp Lake.