Mcmahan Lake Dam dam
Mcmahan Lake Dam
Mcmahan Lake Dam, located in Sebastian County, Arkansas, serves as a recreational spot for water resource and climate enthusiasts. Completed in 1948, this earth dam stands at a height of 11.1 feet and has a hydraulic height of 7.3 feet. With a storage capacity of 43 acre-feet, the dam provides a surface area of 5.6 acres for outdoor activities such as fishing and boating on Little Grasse Creek.
Despite its primary purpose for recreation, Mcmahan Lake Dam poses a significant hazard potential due to its age and lack of recent inspections. The dam has not been rated for its condition assessment, and the last inspection dates back to June 1981. With no emergency action plan in place and limited information on risk management measures, there is a need for increased attention to ensure the safety and integrity of this structure.
As water enthusiasts continue to enjoy the picturesque setting of Mcmahan Lake Dam, it is crucial for relevant authorities to prioritize regular inspections, assess its condition, and develop appropriate emergency response plans. By addressing these concerns and implementing necessary risk management measures, the dam can continue to provide a safe and enjoyable environment for outdoor recreation activities in 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 Mcmahan Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas River At Ft. Smith | 9,590 cfs | → |
| James Fork Near Hackett | 22 cfs | → |
| Lee Creek Near Short | 103 cfs | → |
| Lee Creek At Short | 84 cfs | → |
| Little Lee Creek Near Short | 13 cfs | → |
| Poteau River Near Panama | 293 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Mcmahan Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Brown Quail Trace Barling
- Old Harbor Road 10766, Fort Smith
- Ok 9a Arkoma
- North Water Street 2885, Van Buren
- Fort Coffee
Campgrounds
- Fort Chaffee Rv Military
- Lee Creek Public Use Area
- Fort Smith Alma Rv Park
- Charleston Lake
- River Ridge - Ozark Lake
- Vine Prairie
Fishing spots
Track Mcmahan Lake 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 Mcmahan Lake Dam
Where does the data for Mcmahan Lake 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 Significant 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 Mcmahan Lake Dam.