Blakely Mountain Dam

OUACHITA RIVER· Garland, Arkansas· Built 1953· Earth· 226 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Blakely Mountain Dam is classified as high hazard in Arkansas. It was completed in 1953 and is 73 years old. Its primary use is flood risk reduction. High hazard means loss of life is likely if the dam fails — it does not indicate the dam's current condition. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 226 ft (taller than 99.6% in AR)
Dam Length1,100 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage3.8M acre-ft
Normal Storage2.2M acre-ft
Surface Area40,100 acres
Drainage Area1,105 sq mi
Max Discharge45,000 cfs
Year Completed1953 (73 years old)
NID IDAR00150

Safety Information

High Hazard

Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.

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

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: April 25, 2024
State Regulated: No

Ownership

USACE - Vicksburg District

Federal Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Blakely Mountain Dam?

Blakely Mountain Dam is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Blakely Mountain Dam?

Blakely Mountain Dam is owned by USACE - Vicksburg District (Federal Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Blakely Mountain Dam built?

Blakely Mountain Dam was completed in 1953, making it 73 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 Blakely Mountain Dam?

Blakely Mountain Dam serves the following purposes: Flood Risk Reduction, Recreation, Hydroelectric, Water Supply. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Blakely Mountain Dam?

Blakely Mountain Dam has a dam height of 226 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.

When was Blakely Mountain Dam last inspected?

Blakely Mountain Dam was last inspected on April 25, 2024. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.

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.