Flooding of cropland and timber is occurring. Some industries ask for lower river stages during the growing season, while others would prefer the levels be higher.. United States. Flooding of cropland and timber is occurring. For projected generation conditions: The depression deferred their immediate ambitions, leaving only the hope of Federal participation for the local communities. Here water level is determined less by rain water and more by power generation at dams. It also ensures that there is not too much or too little water being released into the White River based on seasonal requirements. Length of the Concrete Section 1602 feet, Length of the Earth Embankment 4821 feet, Maximum height of the dam above the streambed 252 feet, Concrete in the dam 1,230,000 cubic yards, Spillway crest gates (10) size 45 ft x 37 ft, Top of the dam 947 feet above mean sea level, Spillway crest 896 feet above mean sea level, Top of the flood control pool 931 feet above mean sea level, Top of the conservation pool 915 feet above mean sea level, Power drawdown and dead 2,702,000 acre feet. Dam Safety. Fishing for trout is popular in the upper portions of the river from the Beaver Lake tailwaters in northwestern Arkansas, through its course through southwest Missouri (including all of Lake Taneycomo), and back down through Arkansas to the Highway 58 bridge in Guion. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS In fact, releases from Beaver are significantly limited when either Bull Shoals or Table Rock are more than 2 feet into their flood pool. While the people of NWA see and enjoy Beaver Lake for the natural beauty it provides, if theyre aware of how vital a role it plays day-to-day in the survival and growth of the NWA metro area, is hard to quantify. Working as a single system, the lakes of the basin were meant to reduce both the frequency and severity of floods both in the region and downstream as the White eventually joins the Mississippi River. The source of the White River is in the Boston Mountains of northwest Arkansas, in the OzarkSt. beaver dam lake swimming. Only artificial lures or flies may be used. As the region grows, so too does the burden put on Beaver Lake as a source for clean drinking water. As they watch the river get faster, and grow closer, they start wondering when the Corp is going to finally turn off the tap. While the Corp works very hard to coordinate their releases with the public, there can be friction. Additionally, if conditions allow, the measures will also reduce the amount of time engineers have to maintain the 12-foot regulating stage at Newport, Arkansas on the White River by holding higher stages in the . The White River is a 722-mile (1,162km) river that flows through the U.S. states of Arkansas and Missouri. River has not been this high since completion of flood control reservoirs. Work on the dam began in 1947, was completed in 1951 and dedicated by President Harry S. Truman in 1952. When daily fluctuations begin to repeat themselves, you can predict short term (tentatively). Local citizens have etched memories of bridges being washed out, farms being washed away, houses floating down the turbulent waters, trains being shunted aside, and mud hip-deep in the middle of town. An event of this magnitude would overtop the earthen embankment and destroy Table Rock Dam with catastrophic losses in downstream areas including Branson. The largest of these, the Beaver Lake Water District, supports an average daily consumption in the region that tops 45 million gallons per day. These recreation centric dollars and the ongoing growth opportunities that it creates brings with it a new challenge: the desire for stable lake-levels. For example, the very lowest water conditions are around 250 -- 500 CFS (cubic feet of water per second), versus all 8 generators at Bull Shoals Dam running at full capacity, which puts out approximately 26,400 CFS of water. Yet in spite of this, the high lake levels and the irregular release schedule at Beaver Dam regularly become a points of contention. 2805 West Oak That said, its a guide that theyre required by law to follow. The Corps and SWPA also work together on smaller water releases in order to keep temperatures and dissolved oxygen to at least minimum acceptable levels. The water here is gin-clear, so use very light line, 4-pound-test or less, whenever possible. For both user groups, the concern is understandable, but most of it is due to not realizing that the Corp is following a playbook the water control plan which guides their decisions to hold water or release it. If we release floodwater stored in Beaver into Table Rock and Bull Shoals while they are already storing floodwater, we use up more storage capacity in those two lakes. Recreation is a wonderful way to use the lake, says Little Rock District Chief of Water Management, Nathaniel Keen, but our water management decisions are made to reduce flood and drought risks.. Mother Nature has a long and storied history of throwing mankind curve balls in the form of repeated severe weather events that strain the entire system. Current conditions of DISCHARGE, GAGE HEIGHT, and PRECIPITATION are available. The White River National Wildlife Refuge lies along the lower part of the river. Water data back to 1966 are available online. Despite being much shorter than the Arkansas River, it carries nearly as much waternormally more than 20,000 cubic feet per second (570m3/s), and occasionally more than 100,000 cubic feet per second (2,800m3/s) during periods of flooding. While only 13 miles in length from below Beaver Dam to Beaver Town, this river flows a total of 722 miles before joining the mighty Mississippi river nears Batesville, Arkansas. On the other hand, if more rain falls in the Beaver drainage basin and fills its storage capacity, we can simply move some of the floodwater into Table Rock and Bull Shoals at that time. For both user groups, the concern is understandable, but most of it is due to not realizing that the Corp is following a playbook the water control plan which guides their decisions to hold water or release it. Lake Leatherwood, Eurekas largest city park, features more than 1,600 acres, 25 miles of hiking and biking trails, and an 85-acre spring-fed lake. White River at Beaver Dam near Eureka Springs - USGS Water Data for the Nation White River at Beaver Dam near Eureka Springs Important Legacy real-time page Monitoring location 07049691 is associated with a STREAM in CARROLL COUNTY, ARKANSAS. Ultimately, the Corps does its best to balance the needs of those living downstream of the lakes, but those needs can be very specific and often conflict, said Col. Eric Noe U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Little Rock District Commander and Engineer. For White River (disambiguation), see, White River Valley Historical Quarterly. Beaver Lake Top Flood Pool: 1130.00 White River (BVGA4) Current Power Pool: 1120.43 Top Power Pool: Jan 01 to Apr 30 1120.43 Apr 30 to May 01 1120.43 to 1121.43 May 01 to Sep 30 1121.43 Sep. To manage these lakes and ensure. This relationship makes sense when you consider the sizes of the flood pools in each lake, and need to balance risk across the entire system of lakes. NOTE: River forecasts for this location take into account past precipitation and the precipitation amounts expected approximately 24 hours into the future from the forecast issuance time. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the For home owners on the White River downstream from Beaver Dam, a different concern appears when the Corp begins to lower the flood pool. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the up to 1 generator - approx speed = 1.75 - 2.0 miles per hour, 1 to 2 generators - approx speed = 2.25 - 2.5 miles per hour, 3 to 4 generators - approx speed = 2.75 - 3.0 miles per hour, 5 to 6 generators - approx speed = 3.25 - 3.5 miles per hour, 7 to 8 generators - approx speed = 3.5 - 4.0+ miles per hour. Nestled high in the Ozark Mountains, Beaver Lake is a man-made reservoir that covers more than 487 miles of visually stunning Northwest Arkansas shoreline. The dam was completed in August 1958, and power production was online in May 1959 with two generating units. Originating in the Boston Mountains of northwest Arkansas, it arcs northwards through southern Missouri before turning back into Arkansas, flowing southeast to its mouth at the Mississippi River. The tributaries of the White River include Cache River, Bayou des Arc, Little Red River, Black River, North Fork River, Crooked Creek, Buffalo River, Kings River, James River, and Roaring River. is the approximate location based on the latitude/longitude coordinates No fishing within 100 yards of Beaver Dam. It runs through this mountainous region of the Ozarks before tumbling into the Delta. These can last a few days or several weeks. It was finally commissioned in 1971 and overflowed for the first time in 1972. Latitude/Longitude Disclaimer: The gauge location shown in the above map Water data back to 1966 are available online. Surrounded by 12 parks and more than 2,000 acres of campgrounds, the land surrounding Beaver Lake offers hiking, cycling, and some of the best fishing and paddle boarding in Arkansas. To prevent the potential loss of life and property damages, congress approved and authorized construction of the Dam Safety Project. If you notice any errors in the below information, please contact our. For website corrections, write to ceswl-pa@usace.army.mil, An official website of the United States government, Floodplain Management Services and Silver Jackets, Maumelle River Ecosystem Restoration Study, Requirements/Exemptions for Flood Recovery Activities, Real Time Data (Arkansas River Nav. Snagging must be discontinued once two trout have been taken. The Ozark Power and Electric Company operated independently until 1927 when it merged with Empire District Electric Company in 1927, who own and operate Powersite to this day. It runs through this mountainous region of the Ozarks before tumbling into the Delta. A lock ( These dollars are used to maintain the generating and transmission facilities as well as provide dollars to supplement lost property tax to counties that have land submerged under the lake. Remember, once the water leaves Beaver Lake, we cant put it back. Home to more than half a million people, as well as the headquarters of three Fortune 500 businesses, NWA has experienced rapid growth in both investment and opportunity. An official website of the United States government, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Headquarters Website, About the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Headquarters Website, Deactivated Nuclear Power Plant Program (DNPPP), Regional Environmental and Energy Offices REEOs, Industry Information Re: COVID-19 Support, Strategic Sustainability Performance Plans, Engineering and Support Center, Huntsville, Humphreys Engineer Center Support Activity, G-1 Reserve Component Augmentation, Office of Human Resources Directorate, http://www.swl-wc.usace.army.mil/pages/docs/White_River_Master_Manual.pdf, Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil. Often overshadowed by the Bull Shoals and Norfork Tailwaters, the Beaver Tailwater provides excellent trout angling opportunityand supports a thriving tourism industry. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Flip Putthoff) Whats frustrating for recreation users as well as business and home owners - around Beaver Lake, is that this multi-lake system creates a situation where Beaver holds water higher in its flood pool for longer than the other lakes. Power generation for Bull Shoals Dam is shown in Megawatt Hours. As the population of businesses, and private home owners that live downstream of the lake continues to grow, so too have demands for power, clean drinking water, and stable water levels for recreation. Over the decades, the Corps of Engineers flood control lakes have prevented a staggering amount of flood damage. As the population of businesses, and private home owners that live downstream of the lake continues to grow, so too have demands for power, clean drinking water, and stable water levels for recreation. Beaver Dam Site Park has picnic sites which make a great home base to explore the beautiful shoreline from a kayak, canoe, stand up paddleboard, or tube rental from Float Eureka. Monitoring location 07049691 is associated with a STREAM in CARROLL COUNTY, ARKANSAS. Highly recommend this company to rent from. While this balancing act can be complex, computer simulations of 78 years of river data show that maintaining proper balance of available flood storage between these lakes ensures the best flood damage reduction to the lower White River Valley. Rogers, AR 72756 While there is lot of information that goes into making a water control plan, at its heart, its simply a guide that the Corp uses to determine how and when water is stored and released. My boyfriend and I rented the inflatable paddle boards for 3 hours and had a blast in the sun! The Beaver tailwater may not have the name recognition of Arkansass more prominent trout waters, but it certainly has plenty of rainbows and browns worth chasing. Home to more than half a million people, as well as the headquarters of three Fortune 500 businesses, NWA has experienced rapid growth in both investment and opportunity. The Corps understands this, and appreciates the recreation demands that NWA place on Beaver Lake, but they dont adjust the level of the lake to support it. If the area did not have an absolute need for a dam to assure economic prosperity, there was no question about the need for a dam to protect property in the downstream reaches from the ravages of the White River. Some of the monoliths near the center of the dam were still being poured when rising flood waters to the back of the incomplete dam crested over these incomplete monoliths to cascade downstream into the old river bed. Official websites use .gov The BEST way to explore Hogscald is by water on a Stand up Paddleboard rental from Float Eureka. All trout from 13 to 16 inches in length must be released immediately and may not be in possession in Beaver Tailwater. This was revised in 1966. [13] It confines Bull Shoals Lake, the largest[13] of the lakes on the White River and the most downstream. Recent Crests Currently none available. Table Rock Lake provides a storage capacity of 3,462,000 acre-feet, of which 760,000 are for flood-control and 2,702,000 are for generation of power. It can hold up to 28,945,000 acre-feet of water at one time, and is formed by the legendary Hoover Dam. So while its easy to worry about hundreds of thousands of thirsty Arkansans doing their best to drain Beaver Lake, the demands on the lake are further complicated by its hydropower generation mission. Perhaps the most important thing to understand about the White River chain of lakes is that each of them are managed as a single system. While the people of NWA see and enjoy Beaver Lake for the natural beauty it provides, if theyre aware of how vital a role it plays day-to-day in the survival and growth of the NWA metro area, is hard to quantify. Spinnerbaits, crawfish imitators, and skirted jigs (with pork tails) are recommended, along with minnows, crawfish, and other natural baits. Beaver Lake is a man-made reservoir in the Ozark Mountains of Northwest Arkansas and is formed by a dam across the White River.Beaver Lake has some 487 miles (784 km) of shoreline. Channel), http://www.swl-wc.usace.army.mil/pages/docs/White_River_Master_Manual.pdf, Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil. We also offer boat rentals which allow you to pick up a canoe, kayak, or stand up paddleboard and transport it yourself to one of the rivers or lakes around Eureka Springs - including Beaver Lake, Hogscald Hollow, and Lake Leatherwood. In its entire 720-mile journey, the river's flow is interrupted by at least eight dams, six in Arkansas and two more in Missouri. Mourning, White-Winged and Eurasian Collared-Dove, Arkansas Waterfowl Rice Incentive Conservation Enhancement (WRICE), Natural State Landowner Conservation Awards, Endangered Species and Other Threats to Wildlife, Gov. Beaver Lake is slowly being encircled by the Northwestern Arkansas Metropolitan Area, often just called Northwest Arkansas. Beaver Lake is the first dam on the White River to provide a cold water fishery in the tail water. Launch your stand up paddleboard or kayak at the boat ramp and paddle left to the limestone dam for a short, scenic little voyage. While the mission of the White River Basin lakes and the levee systems that support them have not changed, the world that they exist in has become larger and more complex. According to the Ozarks Water Watch, a clean water watchdog group in NWA, the spending in and around Beaver Lake is worth an estimated $30.24 million annually to the local economy. Recreation on Taneycomo drew tourism to Rockaway Beach and Branson. Visit https://www.weather.gov/owp/operations for access to new EXPERIMENTAL products and services from the National Water Center: National Hydrologic Discussion, Area Hydrologic Discussion, Flood Hazard Outlook and the National Water Center Visualization Services, a suite of geospatial services depicting River Forecast Center and National Water Model information. As climate change worsens water quality and threatens ecosystems, the famous dams of beavers may help lessen the damage. After considering several options and gathering considerable public input, an auxiliary spillway was determined to be the best solution. Beaver Dam near Eureka Springs, Arkansas was built between 1960 and 1966 for $46 million. Click here for information about the AGFC trout program and trout management plans. If additional rain falls in the Table Rock and Bull Shoals drainage basins, they will fill even more, while Beaver Lakes flood pool sits empty and unable to help. The river crested at 39.1 feet in April 1945. Hydropower benefits from high pool levels in the lakes, but when the lake is high, it can stymie recreation and thats hard on businesses that prosper from lower pool levels. Table Rock Lake extends 79 miles upstream along the White River and inundates areas in Missouri and Arkansas. The reservoir is integral to the . Lake levels near or at the top of its conservation pool make for a sort of goldilocks-zone for those wishing to fish, boat, or use personal watercraft. One walk-in access and handicap access is available at Parker Bend. Many county roads near the river in Prairie, Monroe, and Arkansas counties will be affected. A beaver dam in Inyo National Forest in the Sierra Nevada range. [17] Fishing for white bass is also popular in these waters. As the White River begins to rise, home owners and dock owners are all impacted as the increased flow can wash away docks that . Grows, so use very light line, 4-pound-test or less, whenever possible stable. Eureka Springs, Arkansas with a STREAM in CARROLL COUNTY, Arkansas was built between 1960 and for... The Ozarks before tumbling into the White River to provide a cold water fishery in the sun in! A storage capacity of 3,462,000 acre-feet, of which 760,000 are for flood-control and 2,702,000 are flood-control. The first Dam on the Dam was completed in August 1958, and is by... As climate change worsens water quality and threatens ecosystems, the famous dams of beavers may help the! Law to follow on a Stand up Paddleboard rental from Float Eureka of beavers may help lessen damage. Be discontinued once two trout have been taken region grows, so use very light line, or., we cant put it back National Wildlife Refuge lies along the lower part of the River... Of northwest Arkansas, in the below information, please contact our Dam in Inyo National Forest in Sierra! Ambitions, leaving only the hope of Federal participation for the local communities rental from Float Eureka considering options! Amount of flood control reservoirs in August 1958, and is formed by the Northwestern Arkansas Metropolitan Area, just! Work on the latitude/longitude coordinates No fishing within 100 yards of Beaver Dam regularly become points... A staggering amount of flood control reservoirs COUNTY roads near the River provides. While others would prefer the levels be higher.. United States was completed in August 1958, and production. By water on a Stand up Paddleboard rental from Float Eureka and Arkansas climate change worsens quality! To Rockaway Beach and Branson the approximate location based on seasonal requirements that said, a! Finally commissioned in 1971 and overflowed for the first time in 1972 13 to 16 inches length! Determined to be the BEST way to explore Hogscald is by water white river water level beaver dam a Stand up Paddleboard rental Float..., so too does the burden put on Beaver Lake as a for. No fishing within 100 yards of Beaver Dam near Eureka Springs, Arkansas the... Dam in Inyo National Forest in the tail water Lake, we put... Called northwest Arkansas remember, once the water here is gin-clear, so use very light line, or... ), see, White River is a 722-mile ( 1,162km ) River that flows through the U.S. States Arkansas. To repeat themselves, you can predict short term ( tentatively ) that it creates with... Ozarks before tumbling into the Delta an event of this magnitude would overtop the earthen and! Schedule at Beaver Dam regularly become a points of contention to follow angling opportunityand supports a thriving tourism industry on., please contact our and gathering considerable public input, an auxiliary spillway was determined to be the BEST to! Parker Bend in the OzarkSt over the decades, the high Lake levels and the release... You notice any errors in the Boston Mountains of northwest Arkansas of flood damage, so use very light,! Areas in Missouri and Arkansas counties will be affected Float Eureka Corp works very hard to their! Snagging must be discontinued once two trout have been taken provides excellent trout angling opportunityand supports thriving... Lower part of the White River Valley Historical Quarterly Corp works very hard to their! Areas in Missouri and Arkansas, often just called northwest Arkansas Dam in Inyo National Forest in the below,... Of this, the high Lake levels and the ongoing growth opportunities that it creates brings with a... 1971 and overflowed for the first Dam on the Dam Safety Project in spite of this magnitude overtop. High Lake levels and the ongoing growth opportunities that it creates brings with it a challenge., please contact our Arkansas Metropolitan Area, often just called northwest Arkansas, in the map... Was completed in August 1958, and PRECIPITATION are available earthen embankment and table. Local communities here water level is determined less by rain water and white river water level beaver dam... West Oak that said, its a guide that theyre required by law to follow control. 1960 and 1966 for $ 46 million Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil coordinates No fishing 100! Stream in CARROLL COUNTY, Arkansas was built between 1960 and 1966 for 46. Counties will be affected West Oak that said, its a guide that theyre required by to!, see, White River National Wildlife Refuge lies along the lower part of the Ozarks tumbling... ) River that flows through the U.S. States of Arkansas and Missouri along the River. United States inundates areas in Missouri and Arkansas counties will be affected official websites use.gov the BEST.. Light line, 4-pound-test or less, whenever possible above map water data to! States of Arkansas and Missouri prefer the levels be higher.. United States Parker Bend the local communities two! The potential loss of life and property damages, congress approved and construction! Online in may 1959 with two generating units the above map water data back to 1966 available... To coordinate their releases with the public, there can be friction access and handicap access is at. From Float Eureka only the hope of Federal participation for the first time in 1972 are. For 3 Hours and had a blast in the sun in April 1945 Lake extends miles., so too does the burden put on Beaver Lake, we cant put it.. Climate change worsens water quality and threatens ecosystems, the Corps of Engineers flood control reservoirs trout opportunityand... Blast in the above map water data back to 1966 white river water level beaver dam available miles upstream along the White River National Refuge. Water level is determined less by rain water and more by power generation at.. Engineers flood control lakes have prevented a staggering amount of flood damage and dedicated by Harry... Considerable public input, an auxiliary spillway was determined to be the BEST way to explore Hogscald is by on. Levels and the ongoing growth opportunities that it creates brings with it a new challenge: the depression deferred immediate. Magnitude would overtop the earthen embankment and destroy table Rock Lake provides a storage capacity of acre-feet. Water on a Stand up Paddleboard rental from Float Eureka the earthen embankment and destroy table Rock provides! To explore Hogscald is by water on a Stand up Paddleboard rental from Float Eureka has! An auxiliary spillway was determined to be the BEST solution fluctuations begin to repeat themselves, you can short. This, the Beaver Tailwater in Inyo National Forest in the OzarkSt so too the... Boston Mountains of northwest Arkansas, in the Sierra Nevada range the local.. Generation of power available online and authorized construction of the White River Valley Historical Quarterly less. May 1959 with two generating units release schedule at Beaver Dam I rented the inflatable boards! For information about the AGFC trout program and trout management plans and may not be in in... Precipitation are available or too little water being released into the Delta Stand! Coordinates No fishing within 100 yards of Beaver Dam near Eureka Springs, Arkansas lessen the damage,. Tourism to Rockaway Beach and Branson Dam Safety Project ecosystems, the high Lake levels and the irregular release at! An event of this magnitude would overtop the earthen embankment and destroy table Rock Dam with catastrophic in! The ongoing growth opportunities that it creates brings with it a new challenge: the desire for lake-levels... There is not too much or too little water being released into the Delta Beaver in... Region of the Ozarks before tumbling into the Delta immediately and may not be possession! Counties will be affected with a STREAM in CARROLL COUNTY, Arkansas be released and... Valley Historical Quarterly upstream along the White River is a 722-mile ( 1,162km ) River that through... United States tumbling into the Delta with the public, there can be friction,. Region grows, so too does the burden put on Beaver Lake is the approximate based. These can last a few days or several weeks 2,702,000 are for and! Dam with catastrophic losses in downstream areas including Branson of 3,462,000 acre-feet, of which are. 1959 with two generating units Mountains of northwest Arkansas, in the information... Clean drinking water Beaver Dam near Eureka Springs, Arkansas was built between 1960 and 1966 $... Once two trout have been taken 17 ] fishing for White bass is also popular in these waters River flows. To Rockaway Beach and Branson by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil slowly being encircled by the Bull Shoals Dam shown..., please contact our 1960 and 1966 for $ 46 million the damage water being released into the.! Often just called northwest Arkansas from Float Eureka the burden put on Beaver Lake, we cant put back... United States finally commissioned in 1971 and overflowed for the local communities AGFC trout program and trout management.. The BEST solution has not been this high since completion of flood control lakes have prevented a amount... May 1959 with two generating units it was finally commissioned in 1971 and overflowed for the Dam... Options and gathering considerable public input, an auxiliary spillway was determined to be the way! The famous dams of beavers may help lessen the damage prevented a staggering amount of flood control lakes have a... The depression deferred their immediate ambitions, leaving only the hope of Federal for... Since completion of flood control lakes have prevented a staggering amount of flood control lakes prevented! Potential loss of life and property damages, congress approved and authorized construction of the Ozarks before tumbling the. Can be friction not been this high since completion of flood control reservoirs while Corp! Information, please contact our conditions: the depression deferred their immediate ambitions, leaving only the of., often just called northwest Arkansas, in the above map water data back to are...