Big Creek Wid Site 05 dam
Big Creek Wid Site 05
Big Creek Wid Site 05, located in Sterling Springs, Arkansas, is a flood risk reduction structure designed by the USDA NRCS and completed in 1967. This earth dam stands at a height of 29 feet with a hydraulic height of 14 feet, offering a maximum storage capacity of 440 acre-feet to control the flow of Big Creek-OS. The dam's primary purpose is flood risk reduction, although it also serves recreational purposes for the local community.
Managed by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Big Creek Wid Site 05 has a significant hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating. The dam, with a length of 680 feet and a surface area of 13 acres, plays a crucial role in protecting Craighead County and its residents from potential flooding events. Despite its age, the dam has not been rated for condition assessment as of the last inspection in July 2016, highlighting the need for continued monitoring and maintenance to ensure its structural integrity and functionality.
With a state-regulated status and enforcement measures in place, Big Creek Wid Site 05 is a vital infrastructure component in the water resource management of the area. The dam's presence not only enhances flood control capabilities but also offers opportunities for recreational activities, making it a valuable asset for both public safety and community engagement 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 Big Creek Wid Site 05 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cache River At Egypt | · | → |
| Black River At Black Rock | 4,240 cfs | → |
| Black River At Pocahontas | 3,020 cfs | → |
| Spring River At Imboden | 442 cfs | → |
| Black River Near Corning | 662 cfs | → |
| Elevenpoint River Near Ravenden Springs | 599 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Big Creek Wid Site 05.
Track Big Creek Wid Site 05 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 Big Creek Wid Site 05
Where does the data for Big Creek Wid Site 05 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 Big Creek Wid Site 05.