Bull Shoals Dam, Arkansas, USA

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Quick Facts About Bull Shoals Dam

Location: Baxter, Arkansas
Coordinates: 36.365987, -92.5752311
River: White River
Primary Purpose: Flood Risk Reduction
Type: Concrete Gravity
Commissioned: 1951
Dam Height: 256 ft (78 m)
Dam Length: 2,256 ft (688 m)
Dam Capacity: 5,408,000 acre-ft (6,670,660 Ml)
Condition Assessment: Not Available

Bull Shoals Dam Map

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Bull Shoals Dam Information

Bull Shoals Dam is a concrete gravity dam located in Cotter, Baxter, Arkansas.

The dam, which is on the White River, was primarily built for flood risk reduction purposes, but also serves for Recreation, Hydroelectric and Water Supply benefits.

The dam was designed by CESWL and commissioned in 1951 and is currently owned by USACE – Little Rock District.

Bull Shoals Dam Structure

The Bull Shoals Dam is approximately 2,256 feet (688 m) long, 256 feet (78 m) high and has a structural volume of 2,100,000 cubic yards (1,605,566 cubic metres).

Bull Shoals Dam Storage Capacity & Surface Area

The reservoir has a normal storage capacity of 3,048,000 acre-ft (3,759,647 Ml) and maximum capacity of 5,408,000 acre-ft (6,670,660 Ml).

The surface area of the reservoir is 454,400 acres (183,889 ha) and the total catchment area is 6,063 square miles (15,703 square kilometres).

Bull Shoals Dam Spillway

The dam has a 680 feet (207 m) wide controlled spillway with a maximum discharge capacity of 500000 cubic feet per second (14158 cubic metres per second).

Bull Shoals Dam Compared to Four Famous American Dams

Bull Shoals Dam
Baxter, Arkansas
Hoover Dam
Clark County, Nevada
Grand Coulee Dam
Okanogan County, Washington
Theodore Roosevelt Dam
Maricopa County, Arizona
Glen Canyon Dam
Coconino County, Arizona
Height (ft) 256 730 550 357 216
Length (Ft) 2,256 1,244 5,673 6,920 1,565
Storage Volume (acre-ft) 5,408,000 30,237,000 9,562,000 3,540,000 29,875,000
Drainage Area (sq miles) 6,063 167,800 74,100 3,611 108,355

Bull Shoals Dam Weather

Current Conditions at Bull Shoals Dam

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7-Day Forecast for Bull Shoals Dam

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Bull Shoals Dam Frequently Asked Questions

In which state is the Bull Shoals Dam?

Bull Shoals Dam is in Arkansas.

In which county is the Bull Shoals Dam?

Bull Shoals Dam is in Baxter County.

How high is the Bull Shoals Dam?

Bull Shoals Dam is 256 feet high.

How long is the Bull Shoals Dam?

Bull Shoals Dam is 2,256 feet long.

Condition Assessment Classification

Satisfactory

No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.

Fair

No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action. Note: Rare or extreme event is defined by the regulatory agency based on their minimum

Poor

A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency. Investigations and studies are necessary.

Unsatisfactory

A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.

Not Rated

The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.

Not Available

Dams for which the condition assessment is restricted to approved government users.

Hazard Potential Classification

High

Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.

Significant

Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environment damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.

Low

Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner’s property.

Undetermined

Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.

Not Available

Dams for which the downstream hazard potential is restricted to approved government users.

Source: National Inventory of Dams

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