Spring Valley Lake No 1 Dam

PAYNE BRANCH· Pulaski, Arkansas· Built 1965· Earth· 27 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Spring Valley Lake No 1 Dam is classified as high hazard in Arkansas. It was completed in 1965 and is 61 years old. Its primary use is recreation. 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 27 ft (taller than 51.6% in AR)
Dam Length715 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage296 acre-ft
Normal Storage156 acre-ft
Surface Area26 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge3,800 cfs
Year Completed1965 (61 years old)
NID IDAR00114

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: February 8, 2018
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: ANRC

Ownership

SPRING VALLEY MANOR SUBURBAN IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Spring Valley Lake No 1 Dam?

Spring Valley Lake No 1 Dam 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 Spring Valley Lake No 1 Dam?

Spring Valley Lake No 1 Dam is owned by SPRING VALLEY MANOR SUBURBAN IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Spring Valley Lake No 1 Dam built?

Spring Valley Lake No 1 Dam was completed in 1965, making it 61 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 Spring Valley Lake No 1 Dam?

Spring Valley Lake No 1 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 Spring Valley Lake No 1 Dam?

Spring Valley Lake No 1 Dam has a dam height of 27 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 Spring Valley Lake No 1 Dam last inspected?

Spring Valley Lake No 1 Dam was last inspected on February 8, 2018. 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.