Poteau River Wid Site 06

Poteau River Wid Site 06 is an earth dam located in Washington County, Arkansas, built in 1966. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.

About Poteau River Wid Site 06

The primary purpose of Poteau River Wid Site 06 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 Poteau River Watershed Improvement District (local government). It impounds the Square Rock Creek near Waldron.

The dam stands 73 feet tall and stretches 1,418 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 27 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 5,028 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 7 square miles. Completed in 1966, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years 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 fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. The most recent inspection on record was 12/11/2024.

At 73 feet, this dam is taller than 97% of all dams in the United States.

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Significant HazardFair ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Not Required

Location

StateArkansas
CountyWashington
Nearest CityWaldron
River/StreamSquare Rock Creek
Coordinates35.96333, -94.08167

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeEarth
NID Height73 ft
Dam Height73 ft
Dam Length1,418 ft
Year Completed1966 (60 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage5,028 acre-ft
Max Storage5,028 acre-ft
Normal Storage184 acre-ft
Surface Area27 acres
Drainage Area7 sq mi
Max Discharge7,750 cfs

Ownership & Safety

PurposeFlood Risk Reduction
OwnerPoteau River Watershed Improvement District
Owner TypeLocal Government
Hazard ClassificationSignificant
Condition AssessmentFair
Last Inspection12/11/2024
Emergency Action PlanNot Required

Identifiers

NID IDAR00844
Federal IDAR00844
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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