Upper Ouachita Site 1 dam
Upper Ouachita Site 1
Upper Ouachita Site 1, also known as Iron Forks Lake Dam, is a crucial water resource structure located in Polk, Arkansas. Built in 1977 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at a height of 88 feet and serves the primary purpose of water supply. With a storage capacity of 22,300 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 30,000 cubic feet per second, this dam plays a vital role in managing the water resources of the region.
The dam, situated on Irons Fork Creek, covers a surface area of 310 acres and has a drainage area of 34.3 square miles. While the spillway type is uncontrolled, the hazard potential is rated as high, indicating the importance of regular inspections and maintenance. The dam has not been rated for condition assessment, but it is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced by the ANRC, ensuring the safety and integrity of this critical infrastructure.
Despite the moderate risk assessment, the dam's risk management measures and emergency action plans are not detailed in the available data. With its strategic location and significant role in water supply, Upper Ouachita Site 1 is a key component of the water resource infrastructure in the area, highlighting the importance of proactive monitoring and maintenance to ensure the safety and reliability of this essential structure for the community.
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 Upper Ouachita Site 1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cossatot River Near Vandervoort | 18 cfs | → |
| Poteau River At Cauthron | 28 cfs | → |
| Black Fork Below Big Creek Nr Page | 22 cfs | → |
| Ouachita River Near Mount Ida | 132 cfs | → |
| Poteau River At Loving | 42 cfs | → |
| Little Missouri River Near Langley | 19 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Upper Ouachita Site 1.
Boat launches
- Polk Road 3 Polk County
- Polk Road 474 Polk County
- Gillham Lake Road Howard County
- Blue Ridge Road Howard County
Campgrounds
- Mill Creek Family Camp
- Queen Wilhelmina State Park
- Camp Pioneer
- Little Pines Recreation Area
- Shirley Creek
- Little Pines
Fishing spots
- Irons Fork Reservoir
- Lake Wilhelmina
- Truman Baker Lake
- Lake Hinkle
- Big Brushy Creek Day Use
- South Fork Saline River
Track Upper Ouachita Site 1 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 Upper Ouachita Site 1
Where does the data for Upper Ouachita Site 1 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 Upper Ouachita Site 1.