Seven Devils Swamp Dam dam
Seven Devils Swamp Dam
Seven Devils Swamp Dam in Drew, Arkansas, built in 1955 by USDA NRCS, stands as a significant flood risk reduction structure along the Cut-Off Creek. With a hydraulic height of 8 feet and a structural height of 12 feet, this earth dam spans 5100 feet and provides a storage capacity of 560 acre-feet. The dam serves multiple purposes including flood risk reduction and recreation, making it a vital resource for the local community.
Despite its moderate risk assessment of 3, the dam's hazard potential is deemed significant, highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring and maintenance. With no state regulation or inspection in place, the responsibility for the upkeep of Seven Devils Swamp Dam falls solely on the state of Arkansas. This underscores the importance of proactive risk management measures to ensure the safety and longevity of this crucial infrastructure.
As a water resource and climate enthusiast, the unique characteristics and challenges surrounding Seven Devils Swamp Dam present an intriguing case study. From its construction by the USDA NRCS to its current condition assessment of "Not Rated," this dam serves as a focal point for exploring the intersection of infrastructure, environmental stewardship, and community resilience in the face of changing climate patterns.
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 Seven Devils Swamp Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Bayou Bartholomew Near Mcgehee | 74 cfs | → |
| Bayou Bartholomew Near Portland | 107 cfs | → |
| Bayou Bartholomew At Garrett Bridge | 22 cfs | → |
| Saline River Near Rye | 1,860 cfs | → |
| Bayou Macon At Eudora | 6 cfs | → |
| Bayou Bartholomew Near Jones | 75 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Seven Devils Swamp Dam.
⚓ Boat launches
More boat launches →⛺ Campgrounds
More campgrounds →🎣 Fishing spots
More fishing →Track Seven Devils Swamp 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 Seven Devils Swamp Dam
Where does the data for Seven Devils Swamp 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 Significant 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 Seven Devils Swamp Dam.