Norfork Dam
Norfork Dam is a concrete dam located in Baxter County, Arkansas, built in 1944. It carries a High hazard potential classification.
About Norfork Dam
The primary purpose of Norfork 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 - Little Rock District (federal). It impounds the North Fork Of The White near Norfork.
The dam stands 248 feet tall and stretches 2,624 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 22,000 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,983,000 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1,806 square miles. Completed in 1944, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.
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 06/05/2024.
At 248 feet, this dam is taller than 99% 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.
Location
| State | Arkansas |
| County | Baxter |
| Nearest City | Norfork |
| River/Stream | North Fork Of The White |
| Coordinates | 36.24957, -92.23826 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Concrete |
| NID Height | 248 ft |
| Dam Height | 216 ft |
| Dam Length | 2,624 ft |
| Year Completed | 1944 (82 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,983,000 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,983,000 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 31,000 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 22,000 acres |
| Drainage Area | 1,806 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 331,000 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | USACE - Little Rock District |
| Owner Type | Federal |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Not Available |
| Last Inspection | 06/05/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | AR00159 |
| Federal ID | AR00159 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |