Lake Columbia Dam

BEECH CREEK· Columbia, Arkansas· Built 1986· Earth· 40 ft tall
Significant Hazard Water Supply Local Government

Key Takeaway

Lake Columbia Dam is classified as significant hazard in Arkansas. It was completed in 1986 and is 40 years old. Its primary use is water supply. Significant hazard means failure could cause economic or environmental damage. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 40 ft (taller than 74.1% in AR)
Dam Length6,400 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage66.1K acre-ft
Normal Storage28.8K acre-ft
Surface Area2,751 acres
Drainage Area46 sq mi
Max Discharge11,580 cfs
Year Completed1986 (40 years old)
NID IDAR01478

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
Last Inspection: March 15, 2013
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: ANRC

Ownership

COLUMBIA COUNTY RURAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lake Columbia Dam?

Lake Columbia 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 Columbia Dam?

Lake Columbia Dam is owned by COLUMBIA COUNTY RURAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Lake Columbia Dam built?

Lake Columbia Dam was completed in 1986, making it 40 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 Columbia Dam?

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

How tall is Lake Columbia Dam?

Lake Columbia Dam has a dam height of 40 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 Columbia Dam last inspected?

Lake Columbia Dam was last inspected on March 15, 2013. 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.