Chanute Dam dam
Chanute Dam
Chanute Dam, located in Hardy, Arkansas, is a local government-owned structure that serves a primary purpose of recreation. Completed in 1971, this earth dam stands at a height of 58 feet and has a length of 900 feet, creating a reservoir with a maximum storage capacity of 2000 acre-feet. The dam overlooks the Short Draft Branch river and covers a surface area of 65 acres, providing a scenic spot for water resource and climate enthusiasts to enjoy outdoor activities.
Despite its recreational benefits, Chanute Dam has a high hazard potential and is currently rated as "Not Rated" in terms of condition assessment. The dam is regulated by the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission (ANRC) and undergoes regular inspections, with the last one dating back to April 2016. While the dam does not have a spillway or locks, it has the capacity to discharge up to 4676 cubic feet per second in case of emergencies. As water plays a crucial role in the ecosystem, it is essential to ensure the safety and maintenance of dams like Chanute to protect both the environment and surrounding communities.
For those interested in water resource management and climate resilience, Chanute Dam serves as a valuable case study in the importance of balancing recreational benefits with safety and regulatory compliance. As water levels and extreme weather events continue to fluctuate, the proper management and maintenance of dams become increasingly critical to mitigate risks and ensure sustainable water resource utilization. By staying informed and actively engaged in the monitoring and upkeep of structures like Chanute Dam, enthusiasts can contribute to the overall resilience of water systems and their surrounding environments.
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 Chanute 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 Chanute Dam.
Boat launches
- Highland Fun Park
- Beach Road Hardy
- Sharp County
- Highway 142 River Access
- East Walnut Street Oregon County
Fishing spots
Track Chanute 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 Chanute Dam
Where does the data for Chanute 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 Chanute Dam.