Gillham Lake Dam

BELLAH CREEK TRIB· Sevier, Arkansas· Built 1900· Earth· 39 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Gillham Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in Arkansas. It was completed in 1900 and is 126 years old. Its primary use is flood risk reduction.

Physical Details

Dam Height 39 ft (taller than 73.5% in AR)
Dam Length370 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage124 acre-ft
Normal Storage56 acre-ft
Surface Area13 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge1,915 cfs
Year Completed1900 (126 years old)
NID IDAR01166

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

KCS RR

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Gillham Lake Dam?

Gillham 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 Gillham Lake Dam?

Gillham Lake Dam is owned by KCS RR (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Gillham Lake Dam built?

Gillham Lake Dam was completed in 1900, making it 126 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 Gillham Lake Dam?

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

How tall is Gillham Lake Dam?

Gillham Lake Dam has a dam height of 39 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.