Remmel dam
Remmel
Remmel, also known as Lake Catherine, is a captivating hydroelectric dam located in Hot Spring, Arkansas, along the Ouachita River. Built in 1925, this buttress dam stands at a height of 60 feet and has a maximum storage capacity of 57,260 acre-feet, making it an essential water resource in the region. With a surface area of 1,642 acres and a drainage area of 1,516 square miles, Remmel provides crucial benefits for fish and wildlife, recreation, and hydroelectric power generation.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Remmel dam boasts a controlled spillway with a width of 360 feet and Tainter (radial) outlet gates to regulate water flow. Despite its high hazard potential, the dam has not undergone a recent condition assessment, highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring and risk management measures. With its rich history and significant impact on the surrounding environment, Remmel serves as a key landmark for water resource and climate enthusiasts, showcasing the intersection of human engineering and natural water systems in Arkansas.
In addition to its engineering marvel, Remmel dam is closely monitored for safety and emergency preparedness, with a recent update to its Emergency Action Plan in December 2020. With a very high risk assessment rating, the dam's importance in mitigating flooding and providing renewable energy underscores the need for continued maintenance and proactive risk management strategies. Water enthusiasts and climate advocates can appreciate the complex interplay of water resource management, hydroelectric power generation, and environmental conservation at Remmel, making it a must-visit site for those passionate about sustainable water infrastructure and climate resilience.
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 Remmel -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Ouachita River At Remmel Dam Above Jones Mill | 302 cfs | → |
| West Fork Hot Springs Creek At Hot Springs | · | → |
| Saline River At Benton | 97 cfs | → |
| Alum Fork Saline River Near Reform | 1 cfs | → |
| Maumelle River At Williams Junction | 0 cfs | → |
| Hurricane Creek Near Sheridan | 19 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Remmel .
Boat launches
- Stewart Circle 126, Garland County
- Us 67 Midway
- Forest Road Garland County
- Rivercrest Circle 18, Benton
- Blakely Dam Road Garland County
- Brady Mountain Road Garland County
Campgrounds
- Lake Catherine State Park
- Gulpha Gorge Campground
- Gulpha Gorge - Hot Springs National Park
- Cedar Glades Park
- Degray Lake State Park
- Iron Mountain - De Gray Lake
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Lake Winona Dam To Southern Line Of Sec 16, T2n, R17w
- Headwaters Sec 2, T1n, R20w To Sec 7, T1n, R19w
- East Line Of Nw 1/4, Sec 22, T2n, R17w To West Line Of Sec 26, T2n, R17w
- Forest Road 179 To East Line Of Nw 1/4 Sec 22, T2n, R17w
- Headwaters Sec 2, T2n, R18w To Forest Road 132c
- Forest Road 132c To Forest Raod 179
Track Remmel 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 Remmel
Where does the data for Remmel 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 Remmel .