Lake Elmdale Dam dam
Lake Elmdale Dam
Lake Elmdale Dam, located in Elm Springs, Arkansas, is a state-owned structure built in 1952 for the primary purpose of recreation. The dam, standing at a height of 46 feet with a hydraulic height of 40 feet, creates a reservoir with a normal storage capacity of 484 acre-feet and a maximum storage of 2050 acre-feet. The dam spans 1500 feet in length and is situated on Bush Creek, within the Tulsa District of the US Army Corps of Engineers.
With a surface area of 125 acres and a drainage area of 7.7 square miles, Lake Elmdale Dam serves as a popular recreational spot for fishing, boating, and other outdoor activities. However, despite its recreational appeal, the dam holds a high hazard potential and has not been rated for its current condition. Regular state inspections, permitting, and enforcement by the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission ensure the safety and regulation of the dam, highlighting the importance of proper management and maintenance for this vital water resource in Washington County.
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 Lake Elmdale Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Osage Creek Near Elm Springs | 177 cfs | → |
| Osage Creek Near Cave Springs | 32 cfs | → |
| Illinois River At Savoy | 69 cfs | → |
| White River Near Fayetteville | 284 cfs | → |
| Flint Creek At Springtown | 5 cfs | → |
| West Fork White River East Of Fayetteville | 71 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Elmdale Dam.
⚓ Boat launches
- Lake Dam Cove Elm Springs
- Lake Atalanta Loop 140, Rogers
- Lake Sequoyah Drive Fayetteville
- Tunnel Vision Bella Vista
- Kensington Drive 38, Bella Vista
- Lakeside Drive Bella Vista
⛺ Campgrounds
- Lake Wedington Rec. Area
- Lake Wedington Recreation Area
- Prairie Creek - Beaver Lake
- Rocky Branch - Beaver Lake
- Vacation Rentals
- Lost Bridge South - Beaver Lake
🎣 Fishing spots
More fishing →Track Lake Elmdale 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 Lake Elmdale Dam
Where does the data for Lake Elmdale 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 Lake Elmdale Dam.