Cherokee Lake Dam dam
Cherokee Lake Dam
Cherokee Lake Dam, located in Sharp County, Arkansas, is a local government-owned structure that was completed in 1956 for the primary purpose of recreation. The dam, which stands at a height of 49 feet and has a hydraulic height of 42 feet, impounds the waters of Little Otter Creek to create Cherokee Lake. With a storage capacity of 531 acre-feet, the dam provides essential water resources for the surrounding area while also offering recreational opportunities for visitors.
Managed by the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission (ANRC), Cherokee Lake Dam has a high hazard potential and is subject to state regulation, inspection, and enforcement. Despite its age, the dam's condition assessment is currently listed as "Not Rated," indicating the need for a comprehensive evaluation to ensure its long-term safety and stability. With a maximum discharge capacity of 6,674 cubic feet per second, the dam plays a crucial role in flood control and water management efforts in the region.
As an earth-type dam with a length of 846 feet, Cherokee Lake Dam is a vital component of the local infrastructure, providing both recreational benefits and essential water storage for the community. With its picturesque location in Cherokee Village and its proximity to the Memphis District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, the dam serves as a significant landmark in the area, attracting water resource and climate enthusiasts who appreciate its environmental significance and engineering marvel.
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 Cherokee Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Spring River At Town Branch Bridge At Hardy | 377 cfs | → |
| Mammoth Spring At Mammoth Spring | 239 cfs | → |
| Spring River At Imboden | 428 cfs | → |
| Elevenpoint River Near Ravenden Springs | 572 cfs | → |
| Black River At Black Rock | 4,110 cfs | → |
| Eleven Point River Near Bardley | 483 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Cherokee Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Highland Fun Park
- Beach Road Hardy
- Sharp County
- Highway 142 River Access
- East Walnut Street Oregon County
- Riverton West River Access
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 Cherokee 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 Cherokee Lake Dam
Where does the data for Cherokee 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 Cherokee Lake Dam.