Rayburn Dam

About Rayburn Dam

The primary purpose of Rayburn Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Bella Vista Village Property Owners Association (private). It impounds the Little Sugar Creek-tr near Bella Vista Village.

The dam stands 95 feet tall and stretches 830 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 45 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 3,100 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1 square miles. Completed in 1973, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.

This dam has a significant hazard potential classification, meaning that a failure could cause significant economic damage — flooding roads, bridges, or property downstream — but is not expected to result in loss of life. Its condition is rated fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. The most recent inspection on record was 01/20/2026.

At 95 feet, this dam is taller than 98% of all dams in the United States.

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