Lake Austell

WILLOW CREEK· Cross, Arkansas· Built 1975· Earth· 45 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Lake Austell is classified as low hazard in Arkansas. It was completed in 1975 and is 51 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 45 ft (taller than 78.9% in AR)
Dam Length960 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage1.1K acre-ft
Normal Storage1.4K acre-ft
Surface Area66 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge2,645 cfs
Year Completed1975 (51 years old)
NID IDAR01285

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
Last Inspection: October 24, 2014
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: ANRC

Ownership

ARKANSAS PARKS AND TOURISM

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lake Austell?

Lake Austell 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 Lake Austell?

Lake Austell is owned by ARKANSAS PARKS AND TOURISM (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Lake Austell built?

Lake Austell was completed in 1975, making it 51 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 Lake Austell?

Lake Austell 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 Lake Austell?

Lake Austell has a dam height of 45 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 Lake Austell last inspected?

Lake Austell was last inspected on October 24, 2014. 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.