Blue Mountain Dam dam
Blue Mountain Dam
Blue Mountain Dam, also known as Blue Mountain Lake, is a federal-owned structure located in Danville, Arkansas. Constructed in 1947 by the US Army Corps of Engineers, this earth-type dam stands at a height of 115 feet and spans a length of 2800 feet, with a max storage capacity of 258,000 acre-feet. The dam serves multiple purposes, including flood risk reduction, recreation, and water supply for the surrounding area.
With a high hazard potential, Blue Mountain Dam is continually monitored and managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers to mitigate flood risks. Regular inspections, maintenance, and updates to the emergency action plan are carried out to ensure the dam's structural integrity and readiness for potential emergencies. The dam's spillway, with a width of 150 feet, helps manage water levels and relieve pressure during severe weather events. Despite the risks associated with dam operations, the USACE works diligently to address all flood risk scenarios and engage with local emergency managers to prepare and respond effectively in case of a dam-related emergency.
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 Blue Mountain Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Dutch Creek At Waltreak | · | → |
| Petit Jean River At Danville | 910 cfs | → |
| Petit Jean River Near Booneville | 79 cfs | → |
| Fourche Lafave River Near Gravelly | 100 cfs | → |
| Ouachita River Near Mount Ida | 217 cfs | → |
| Big Piney Creek At Highway 164 Near Dover | 314 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Blue Mountain Dam.
Boat launches
- County Road 539 Yell County
- Logan County
- Cove Lake Bathhouse Road Logan County
- Cane Creek Recreation Road 2199, Logan County
- Spadra Park Boat Ramp
- Piney Bay Campground Johnson County
Campgrounds
- Outlet Area - Blue Mountain Lake
- Waveland - Blue Mountain Lake
- Cameron Bluff
- Mount Magazine State Park
- Cove Lake Recreation Area
- Cove Lake Complex
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Highway 298 Bridge Near Sims, Ar To Slackwater Of Lake Ouachita
- Nf Boundary At Pine Ridge, Ar To Highway 298 Bridge Near Sims, Ar
- Headwaters Sec 2, T1n, R20w To Sec 7, T1n, R19w
- Headwaters In Sec 8, T1s, R31w To Nf Boundary At Acorn, Ar
- Headwaters Sec 2, T2n, R18w To Forest Road 132c
- Sec 30, T3s, R27w To Sec 19, T4s, R24w
Track Blue Mountain 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 Blue Mountain Dam
Where does the data for Blue Mountain 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 Blue Mountain Dam.