Lake Cave City Dam

SOUTH BIG CREEK· Sharp, Arkansas· Built 1956· Earth· 23 ft tall
Significant Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Lake Cave City Dam is classified as significant hazard in Arkansas. It was completed in 1956 and is 70 years old. Its primary use is recreation. Significant hazard means failure could cause economic or environmental damage. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 23 ft (taller than 37.6% in AR)
Dam Length200 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage300 acre-ft
Normal Storage250 acre-ft
Year Completed1956 (70 years old)
NID IDAR00246

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: No
State Regulated: No

Ownership

VANHOOTEN

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lake Cave City Dam?

Lake Cave City Dam 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 Lake Cave City Dam?

Lake Cave City Dam is owned by VANHOOTEN (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Lake Cave City Dam built?

Lake Cave City Dam 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 Lake Cave City Dam?

Lake Cave City 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 Lake Cave City Dam?

Lake Cave City Dam has a dam height of 23 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.