Dierks Dam
Dierks Dam is a rockfill dam located in Sevier County, Arkansas, built in 1975. It carries a High hazard potential classification.
About Dierks Dam
The primary purpose of Dierks Dam is flood risk reduction. The dam is designed to control downstream flooding by temporarily storing excess water during storms and releasing it at a controlled rate. The dam is owned by Usace - Little Rock District (federal). It impounds the Saline near Provo.
The dam stands 153 feet tall and stretches 2,469 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 1,360 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 159,500 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 114 square miles. Completed in 1975, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.
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. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 12/09/2021.
At 153 feet, this dam is taller than 99% 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 | Sevier |
| Nearest City | Provo |
| River/Stream | Saline |
| Coordinates | 34.14375, -94.09863 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Rockfill |
| NID Height | 153 ft |
| Dam Height | 153 ft |
| Dam Length | 2,469 ft |
| Year Completed | 1975 (51 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 159,500 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 159,500 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 29,700 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 1,360 acres |
| Drainage Area | 114 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 105,000 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | USACE - Little Rock District |
| Owner Type | Federal |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Not Available |
| Last Inspection | 12/09/2021 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | AR01202 |
| Federal ID | AR01202 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |