Old Davidsonville dam
Old Davidsonville
Old Davidsonville is a state-owned recreational dam located in Randolph County, Arkansas, along the Black River. Constructed in 1981 by the USDA NRCS, this Earth dam stands at a height of 22 feet and spans 420 feet in length, providing a storage capacity of 136 acre-feet. With a primary purpose of recreation, the dam has a low hazard potential and is currently in "Not Rated" condition.
The dam, managed by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, features an uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates. Surrounded by a surface area of 11 acres and draining a 0.1 square mile drainage area, Old Davidsonville offers a serene setting for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy fishing, boating, and other water-based activities. Despite being classified as having a moderate risk level, the dam has not been rated for its condition and has not undergone recent inspections, presenting an opportunity for further assessment and risk management measures.
Located within the Memphis District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, Old Davidsonville serves as a valuable resource for the local community and visitors seeking recreational opportunities along the Black River. Its historical significance, coupled with its natural beauty and potential for outdoor enjoyment, make it a noteworthy destination for water resource and climate enthusiasts looking to explore the diverse landscapes of Arkansas.
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 Old Davidsonville -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Black River At Black Rock | 4,360 cfs | → |
| Spring River At Imboden | 441 cfs | → |
| Black River At Pocahontas | 3,120 cfs | → |
| Elevenpoint River Near Ravenden Springs | 607 cfs | → |
| Cache River At Egypt | · | → |
| Spring River At Town Branch Bridge At Hardy | 385 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Old Davidsonville.
Boat launches
Fishing spots
Track Old Davidsonville 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 Old Davidsonville
Where does the data for Old Davidsonville 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 Low 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 Old Davidsonville.