Map of All 1,265 Arkansas Dams
Arkansas has 1,265 dams in the National Inventory of Dams — and 197 are classified as high hazard (16% of the state’s total), meaning failure would likely cause loss of life. 22 Arkansas dams are both high-hazard and in poor or unsatisfactory condition.
Use the interactive Arkansas dams map below to explore every dam in the state, color-coded by hazard level. Click any dam for its condition assessment, last inspection date, and Emergency Action Plan status. Or view the full US Dams interactive map to compare Arkansas to every other state.
Hazard
Condition
Purpose
Arkansas Dams by the Numbers
- 1,265 total dams in Arkansas
- 197 high hazard — failure would likely cause loss of life
- 232 significant hazard
- 820 low hazard
- 69 in poor or unsatisfactory condition (67 poor, 2 unsatisfactory)
- 22 Arkansas dams are both high-hazard AND in poor/unsatisfactory condition
Data source: US Army Corps of Engineers, National Inventory of Dams (NID).
The Tallest Dams in Arkansas
The tallest dam in Arkansas is Bull Shoals Dam at 282 feet, completed in 1951. The 10 tallest Arkansas dams from the National Inventory of Dams:
| Dam | Height | Year | Primary Purpose | Condition | County |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bull Shoals Dam | 282 ft | 1951 | Flood Risk Reduction | Not Available | Baxter |
| Greers Ferry Dam | 251 ft | 1962 | Flood Risk Reduction | Not Available | Cleburne |
| Norfork Dam | 248 ft | 1944 | Flood Risk Reduction | Not Available | Baxter |
| DeGray Dam – Saddle Dike | 243 ft | 1969 | Flood Risk Reduction | Not Available | Clark |
| Blakely Mountain Dam | 240 ft | 1953 | Flood Risk Reduction | Not Available | Garland |
| Beaver Dam – Saddle Dike 3 | 229 ft | 1963 | Flood Risk Reduction | Not Available | Carroll |
| Beaver Dam | 228 ft | 1963 | Flood Risk Reduction | Not Available | Carroll |
| Lake Fort Smith Dam | 212 ft | 1936 | Water Supply | Fair | Poinsett |
| Narrows Dam | 196 ft | 1950 | Flood Risk Reduction | Not Available | Pike |
| Dequeen Dam – Saddle Dike A | 160 ft | 1977 | Flood Risk Reduction | Not Available | Sevier |
High-Hazard Arkansas Dams in Poor Condition
The most concerning dams are those classified as high-hazard that also carry a Poor or Unsatisfactory condition rating — 22 dams in Arkansas. Notable examples:
- Loch Lomond Dam (80 ft, Benton County) — Recreation, Poor condition
- Lake Wilhelmina Dam (75 ft, Polk County) — Recreation, Poor condition
- W Fork Pt Remove Creek Wid Site 08 (67 ft, Pope County) — Flood Risk Reduction, Poor condition
- Horsehead Lake Dam (67 ft, Johnson County) — Recreation, Poor condition
- Lake Ann Dam (65 ft, Benton County) — Recreation, Poor condition
Filter the interactive US Dams map by hazard and condition to see all of them on one view.
Dam Safety in Arkansas
Dam safety in Arkansas is overseen by the state dam safety program, in coordination with federal regulators: the US Army Corps of Engineers, the Bureau of Reclamation (for federal water projects), the Tennessee Valley Authority where applicable, and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for licensed hydropower dams. Emergency Action Plans are typically required for high-hazard dams under state regulations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many dams are in Arkansas?
Arkansas has 1,265 dams in the National Inventory of Dams tracked by the US Army Corps of Engineers: 197 high hazard, 232 significant hazard, and 820 low hazard.
What is the tallest dam in Arkansas?
The tallest dam in Arkansas is Bull Shoals Dam at 282 feet, completed in 1951. It is primarily a flood risk reduction structure.
How many Arkansas dams are in poor condition?
69 Arkansas dams are currently rated as being in Poor or Unsatisfactory condition. Of those, 22 are also classified as high-hazard — meaning failure would likely cause loss of life.
