Degray Dam

Degray Dam is an earth dam located in Clark County, Arkansas, built in 1969. It carries a High hazard potential classification.

About Degray Dam

The primary purpose of Degray Dam is flood risk reduction. The dam is designed to control downstream flooding by temporarily storing excess water during storms and releasing it at a controlled rate. The dam is owned by Usace - Vicksburg District (federal). It impounds the Caddo River near Caddo Valley.

The dam stands 98 feet tall and stretches 13,200 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 13,400 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,377,100 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 453 square miles. Completed in 1969, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.

This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 06/10/2025.

At 98 feet, this dam is taller than 98% of all dams in the United States.

Living Downstream

If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The Arkansas dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.

Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.

High HazardNot Available ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Yes

Location

StateArkansas
CountyClark
Nearest CityCaddo Valley
River/StreamCaddo River
Coordinates34.21434, -93.11075

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeEarth
NID Height98 ft
Dam Length13,200 ft
Year Completed1969 (57 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage1,377,100 acre-ft
Max Storage1,377,100 acre-ft
Normal Storage654,700 acre-ft
Surface Area13,400 acres
Drainage Area453 sq mi
Max Discharge67,000 cfs
Spillway TypeUncontrolled

Ownership & Safety

PurposeFlood Risk Reduction
OwnerUSACE - Vicksburg District
Owner TypeFederal
Hazard ClassificationHigh
Condition AssessmentNot Available
Last Inspection06/10/2025
Emergency Action PlanYes

Identifiers

NID IDAR00151
Federal IDAR00151
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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