Degray Dam - Saddle Dike

Degray Dam - Saddle Dike is an earth dam located in Clark County, Arkansas, built in 1969. It carries a High hazard potential classification.

About Degray Dam - Saddle Dike

The primary purpose of Degray Dam - Saddle Dike 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 - Vicksburg District (federal). It impounds the Caddo River near Caddo Valley.

The dam stands 243 feet tall and stretches 3,400 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 13,400 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,377,100 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 453 square miles. Completed in 1969, 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 07/22/2020.

At 243 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.

High HazardNot Available ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Yes

Location

StateArkansas
CountyClark
Nearest CityCaddo Valley
River/StreamCaddo River
Coordinates34.24146, -93.10477

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeEarth
NID Height243 ft
Dam Length3,400 ft
Year Completed1969 (57 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage1,377,100 acre-ft
Max Storage1,377,100 acre-ft
Normal Storage654,700 acre-ft
Surface Area13,400 acres
Drainage Area453 sq mi
Max Discharge67,000 cfs
Spillway TypeUncontrolled

Ownership & Safety

PurposeFlood Risk Reduction
OwnerUSACE - Vicksburg District
Owner TypeFederal
Hazard ClassificationHigh
Condition AssessmentNot Available
Last Inspection07/22/2020
Emergency Action PlanYes

Identifiers

NID IDAR00152
Federal IDAR00151S001
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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