Lake Mena Dam
Lake Mena Dam is a rockfill dam located in Polk County, Arkansas, built in 1949. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Lake Mena Dam
The primary purpose of Lake Mena Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Mr. Fred L. Hampton (private). It impounds the Brier Creek-tr near Mena.
The dam stands 35 feet tall and stretches 975 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 67 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,940 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1 square miles. Completed in 1949, 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 satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 11/19/2020.
At 35 feet, this dam is taller than 82% 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 | Polk |
| Nearest City | Mena |
| River/Stream | Brier Creek-tr |
| Coordinates | 34.58250, -94.19250 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Rockfill |
| NID Height | 35 ft |
| Dam Height | 35 ft |
| Dam Length | 975 ft |
| Year Completed | 1949 (77 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,940 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,940 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 920 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 67 acres |
| Drainage Area | 1 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 908 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | Mr. Fred L. Hampton |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 11/19/2020 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | AR00906 |
| Federal ID | AR00906 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |