Lee Creek

Lee Creek, Arkansas River· Crawford, Arkansas· Built 1992· Gravity· 48 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Lee Creek is classified as high hazard in Arkansas. It was completed in 1992 and is 34 years old. Its primary use is water supply. High hazard means loss of life is likely if the dam fails — it does not indicate the dam's current condition. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 48 ft (taller than 81.3% in AR)
Dam Length1,372 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage43.0K acre-ft
Normal Storage7.1K acre-ft
Surface Area634 acres
Drainage Area436 sq mi
Max Discharge319,284 cfs
Year Completed1992 (34 years old)
NID IDAR01492

Safety Information

High Hazard

Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.

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

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: March 16, 2022
State Regulated: No

Ownership

City of Fort Smith

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lee Creek?

Lee Creek is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Lee Creek?

Lee Creek is owned by City of Fort Smith (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Lee Creek built?

Lee Creek was completed in 1992, making it 34 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 Lee Creek?

Lee Creek serves the following purposes: Water Supply, Fish And Wildlife Pond, Recreation, Hydroelectric. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Lee Creek?

Lee Creek has a dam height of 48 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 Lee Creek last inspected?

Lee Creek was last inspected on March 16, 2022. 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.