Paris Dam
Paris Dam is an earth dam located in Logan County, Arkansas, built in 1939. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Paris Dam
The primary purpose of Paris 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 City Of Paris (local government). It impounds the Short Mountain Creek near Paris.
The dam stands 55 feet tall and stretches 744 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 171 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 5,349 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 44 square miles. Completed in 1939, 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 poor, meaning the dam has recognized safety deficiencies that require remediation to address risks. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 08/12/2024.
At 55 feet, this dam is taller than 94% of dams nationwide.
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 | Logan |
| Nearest City | Paris |
| River/Stream | Short Mountain Creek |
| Coordinates | 35.27500, -93.72667 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 55 ft |
| Dam Height | 55 ft |
| Dam Length | 744 ft |
| Year Completed | 1939 (87 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 5,349 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 5,349 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 1,995 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 171 acres |
| Drainage Area | 44 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 77,000 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | City of Paris |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 08/12/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | AR00880 |
| Federal ID | AR00880 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |