Norfork Dam dam
Norfork Dam
Norfork Dam, located in Baxter County, Arkansas, was completed in 1944 by the US Army Corps of Engineers and stands as a crucial flood risk reduction infrastructure on the North Fork of the White River. With a concrete gravity structure reaching a height of 216 feet and a storage capacity of 1,983,000 acre-feet, the dam serves multiple purposes including flood risk reduction, hydroelectric power generation, and recreational activities on Norfork Lake. The dam's controlled spillway, with a width of 480 feet, helps regulate water flow and reduce the risk of downstream flooding.
Despite its successful performance history, Norfork Dam is classified as having a high hazard potential and a very high risk rating due to the potential impacts of extreme rainfall events and earthquakes. To mitigate these risks, the US Army Corps of Engineers has implemented a comprehensive risk management strategy that includes regular inspections, monitoring, and emergency response exercises. The dam also has an Emergency Action Plan in place to ensure the safety of downstream communities in the event of a flood. With ongoing risk reduction measures and close monitoring of weather forecasts, Norfork Dam remains a critical asset in safeguarding the surrounding areas from flooding incidents.
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 Norfork Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| White River Near Norfork | 2,000 cfs | → |
| White River At Calico Rock | 3,400 cfs | → |
| North Sylamore Creek Near Fifty Six | 5 cfs | → |
| Buffalo River Near Harriet | 408 cfs | → |
| North Fork River Near Tecumseh | 469 cfs | → |
| Bryant Creek Near Tecumseh | 316 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Norfork Dam.
Boat launches
- Baxter County
- Norfork River Road 49, Norfork
- Fishermans Street 297, Norfork
- Riverview Trail 1198, Norfork
- Mcphearson Terrace Baxter County
- Shipps Ferry Road Baxter County
Campgrounds
- Quarry Cove - Norfolk Lake
- Jordan - Norfolk Lake
- Woods Point - Norfolk Lake
- Georges Cove - Norfolk Lake
- Robinson Point - Norfolk Lake
- Henderson - Norfolk Lake
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
Track Norfork 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 Norfork Dam
Where does the data for Norfork 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 Norfork Dam.