Darby

Tr Prairie Creek· Franklin, Arkansas· Built 1956· Earth· 27 ft tall
Significant Hazard Water Supply Flood Risk Reduction Federal Government

Key Takeaway

Darby is classified as significant hazard in Arkansas. It was completed in 1956 and is 70 years old. Its primary use is water supply. Significant hazard means failure could cause economic or environmental damage. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 27 ft (taller than 51.6% in AR)
Dam Length900 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage1.1K acre-ft
Normal Storage516 acre-ft
Surface Area150 acres
Drainage Area2 sq mi
Max Discharge4,125 cfs
Year Completed1956 (70 years old)
Year Modified1961
NID IDAR00417

Safety Information

Significant Hazard

No probable loss of human life, but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, or disruption of lifeline facilities.

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

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: July 20, 1992
State Regulated: No

Ownership

CITY OF CHARLESTON;Fort Chaffee

Federal Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Darby?

Darby is classified as Significant Hazard. No probable loss of human life, but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, or disruption of lifeline facilities. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Darby?

Darby is owned by CITY OF CHARLESTON;Fort Chaffee (Federal Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Darby built?

Darby was completed in 1956, making it 70 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 Darby?

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

How tall is Darby?

Darby has a dam height of 27 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 Darby last inspected?

Darby was last inspected on July 20, 1992. 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.