Rainbow Lake Dam dam
Rainbow Lake Dam
Rainbow Lake Dam, located in Hardy, Arkansas, is a privately owned structure primarily used for recreation purposes. Completed in 1961, this earth dam stands at a height of 42 feet and has a hydraulic height of 36 feet, with a total length of 635 feet. The dam has a normal storage capacity of 207 acre-feet and a maximum storage capacity of 310 acre-feet, serving as a popular spot for outdoor enthusiasts in the area.
Managed by the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission, Rainbow Lake Dam is subject to state regulation, inspection, and enforcement to ensure its safety and integrity. With a high hazard potential, the dam is closely monitored to mitigate any risks and protect the surrounding community. Although its condition is currently not rated, regular inspections are conducted to assess the structure's stability and address any necessary maintenance or improvements.
Despite its critical function in flood control and water supply management for the 40-Island Creek-OS river system, Rainbow Lake Dam also offers a serene and picturesque setting for recreational activities, attracting visitors to its 21-acre surface area. While the dam's spillway information and emergency preparedness details are not readily available, its historical significance and role in water resource management make it a noteworthy site for water resource and climate enthusiasts to explore and appreciate.
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 Rainbow Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Spring River At Town Branch Bridge At Hardy | 385 cfs | → |
| Mammoth Spring At Mammoth Spring | 428 cfs | → |
| Spring River At Imboden | 459 cfs | → |
| Elevenpoint River Near Ravenden Springs | 622 cfs | → |
| Black River At Black Rock | 4,690 cfs | → |
| Eleven Point River Near Bardley | 503 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Rainbow Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Beach Road Hardy
- Highland Fun Park
- Sharp County
- Highway 142 River Access
- East Walnut Street Oregon County
- Riverton West River Access
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Hebron Access Site To Southern Forest Boundary In Sec 33, T24n, R11w
- Western Edge Of Ozark National Scenic Riverways To Confluence With Alley Spring (Branch)
- The Most Upstream Portion Of Ozark National Scenic Riverways To The Most Downstream Portion Of Ozark National Scenic Riverways
Track Rainbow 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 Rainbow Lake Dam
Where does the data for Rainbow 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 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 Rainbow Lake Dam.