Ludwig Lake Dam
Ludwig Lake Dam is an earth dam located in Johnson County, Arkansas, built in 1950. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Ludwig Lake Dam
The primary purpose of Ludwig Lake Dam is water supply. The dam stores water for municipal, industrial, or agricultural use, helping ensure a reliable supply for the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Clarksville Light & Water Co. (local government). It impounds the Dicks Creek near Clarksville.
The dam stands 70 feet tall and stretches 1,882 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 260 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 5,000 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 4 square miles. Completed in 1950, 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. Its condition is rated fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 09/12/2024.
At 70 feet, this dam is taller than 96% 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 | Johnson |
| Nearest City | Clarksville |
| River/Stream | Dicks Creek |
| Coordinates | 35.53260, -93.45593 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 70 ft |
| Dam Height | 70 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,882 ft |
| Year Completed | 1950 (76 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 5,000 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 5,000 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 3,886 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 260 acres |
| Drainage Area | 4 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 6,421 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Clarksville Light & Water Co. |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 09/12/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | AR00442 |
| Federal ID | AR00442 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |