Lake Atkins Dam
Lake Atkins Dam is an earth dam located in Pope County, Arkansas, built in 1946. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Lake Atkins Dam
The primary purpose of Lake Atkins Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Arkansas Game And Fish Commission (state). It impounds the Horsehead Branch near Wilson.
The dam stands 25 feet tall and stretches 2,200 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 752 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 13,928 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 10 square miles. Completed in 1946, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.
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 poor, meaning the dam has recognized safety deficiencies that require remediation to address risks. The most recent inspection on record was 07/30/2025.
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Location
| State | Arkansas |
| County | Pope |
| Nearest City | Wilson |
| River/Stream | Horsehead Branch |
| Coordinates | 35.21583, -92.94000 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 25 ft |
| Dam Height | 25 ft |
| Dam Length | 2,200 ft |
| Year Completed | 1946 (80 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 13,928 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 13,928 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 7,760 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 752 acres |
| Drainage Area | 10 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 1,525 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | Arkansas Game and Fish Commission |
| Owner Type | State |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 07/30/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | AR00271 |
| Federal ID | AR00271 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |