Big Lake Dam

CEDAR CREEK-TR· Garland, Arkansas· Built 1972· Earth· 26 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Big Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in Arkansas. It was completed in 1972 and is 54 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 26 ft (taller than 48.6% in AR)
Dam Length854 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage270 acre-ft
Normal Storage144 acre-ft
Surface Area16 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge543 cfs
Year Completed1972 (54 years old)
NID IDAR00722

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: No
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: ANRC

Ownership

DON & HETTIE BROOKS

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Big Lake Dam?

Big Lake Dam is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Big Lake Dam?

Big Lake Dam is owned by DON & HETTIE BROOKS (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Big Lake Dam built?

Big Lake Dam was completed in 1972, making it 54 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

What is the primary purpose of Big Lake Dam?

Big Lake Dam serves the following purposes: Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Big Lake Dam?

Big Lake Dam has a dam height of 26 ft. Dam height is measured from the natural streambed at the downstream toe to the top of the dam, and may differ from the visible height.

Data from the National Inventory of Dams (NID) maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Dam conditions may have changed since the last update. This site is not affiliated with USACE. Do not use for emergency planning — contact your local dam safety program.