Sanderson Dam
Sanderson Dam is a gravity dam located in Montgomery County, Arkansas, built in 1925. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Sanderson Dam
The primary purpose of Sanderson 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 Hot Springs Municipal Water System (local government). It impounds the Bull Bayou-tr near Hot Springs.
The dam stands 49 feet tall and stretches 310 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 56 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 608 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 2 square miles. Completed in 1925, the structure is over a century old.
This dam has a significant hazard potential classification, meaning that a failure could cause significant economic damage — flooding roads, bridges, or property downstream — but is not expected to result in loss of life. Its condition is rated poor, meaning the dam has recognized safety deficiencies that require remediation to address risks. The most recent inspection on record was 07/25/2024.
At 49 feet, this dam is taller than 92% of dams nationwide.
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Location
| State | Arkansas |
| County | Montgomery |
| Nearest City | Hot Springs |
| River/Stream | Bull Bayou-tr |
| Coordinates | 34.54722, -93.69222 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| NID Height | 49 ft |
| Dam Height | 49 ft |
| Dam Length | 310 ft |
| Year Completed | 1925 (101 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 608 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 608 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 517 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 56 acres |
| Drainage Area | 2 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 16,000 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Hot Springs Municipal Water System |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 07/25/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | AR00726 |
| Federal ID | AR00726 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |