Hillcrest Lake Dam dam
Hillcrest Lake Dam
Hillcrest Lake Dam, located in Polk County, Arkansas, is a privately owned earth dam completed in 1968 for the primary purpose of recreation. Standing at a height of 25.7 feet and holding a maximum storage capacity of 72.2 acre-feet, this dam on the Ouachita Creek-TR provides a serene setting for water resource and climate enthusiasts to enjoy various outdoor activities. The dam's normal storage capacity is 57 acre-feet, with a surface area of 11 acres and a drainage area of 0.08 square miles.
Despite its recreational benefits, Hillcrest Lake Dam has a high hazard potential and is not currently rated for its condition. The dam's last inspection was conducted in March 2017, and it is regularly monitored for safety and regulatory compliance by the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission. While the dam does not have a spillway, its maximum discharge capacity is 627 cubic feet per second, ensuring proper water management during periods of high flow.
With its picturesque location in Mena, Arkansas, Hillcrest Lake Dam serves as a vital water resource for the community while also offering a peaceful retreat for outdoor enthusiasts. The dam's importance lies in its role in providing recreational opportunities and contributing to the overall water management strategy in the region. As efforts continue to ensure the safety and maintenance of this earth dam, it remains a focal point for those interested in water resource management and climate resilience in the area.
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 Hillcrest Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cossatot River Near Vandervoort | 17 cfs | → |
| Black Fork Below Big Creek Nr Page | 21 cfs | → |
| Poteau River At Cauthron | 19 cfs | → |
| Kiamichi River Near Big Cedar | 3 cfs | → |
| Poteau River At Loving | 32 cfs | → |
| Little Missouri River Near Langley | 18 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Hillcrest Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Polk Road 3 Polk County
- Polk Road 474 Polk County
- Gillham Lake Road Howard County
- Blue Ridge Road Howard County
- Howard County
Campgrounds
- Queen Wilhelmina State Park
- Camp Pioneer
- Mill Creek Family Camp
- Little Pines Recreation Area
- Bard Springs
- Bard Springs Recreation Area
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Headwaters In Sec 8, T1s, R31w To Nf Boundary At Acorn, Ar
- Nf Boundary At Pine Ridge, Ar To Highway 298 Bridge Near Sims, Ar
- Sec 30, T3s, R27w To Sec 19, T4s, R24w
- State Highway 4 To Broken Bow Lake
- Highway 298 Bridge Near Sims, Ar To Slackwater Of Lake Ouachita
- Confluence Of East And West Forks, Sec 7, T3s, R23e To Nf Boundary Sec 32, T4s, R23e
Track Hillcrest 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 Hillcrest Lake Dam
Where does the data for Hillcrest 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 Hillcrest Lake Dam.