Beaver Lake Dam
Interim Risk Reduction Measure Public Information
As part of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' (USACE) Dam Safety Program, all water management projects undergo regular Period Inspections and Periodic Risk Assessments. As a result of the August 2016 Periodic Risk Assessment, dam safety engineers recommended that Beaver Dam be classified as Dam Safety Action Classification 3 (DSAC 3). Following the USACE Dam Safety process, with guidance from the Dam Safety Senior Oversight Group, numerous Interim Risk Reduction Measures were developed for Beaver Lake Dam and implementation began in 2017.
Since 2017, additional detailed analyses on the White River system of lakes and hydrologic analyses have been ongoing. These analyses have yielded additional IRRMs that are designed to significantly reduce the population at risk downstream of Beaver Lake Dam. Some of these IRRMs have impacts to the lake levels and downstream White River stages. This website provides detailed information about the IRRMs and we hope it addresses your questions and concerns. Please feel free to fill out the comment box or contact our office directly at the number listed. We have an automated audio PowerPoint that describes the Beaver Lake Dam IRRMs and takes about 7 minutes to view. We also have handouts with related information.
Public Workshop Dates
Dec. 16 - Searcy, AR
White County EM Office
5p.m. - 8p.m.
Jan. 24 - Rogers, AR
City of Rogers
City Hall Community Room
5p.m. - 8p.m.
Jan. 25 - Branson, MO
Dewey Short Visitor's Center
5p.m. - 8p.m.
Jan. 31 - Jacksonport, AR
State Park Visitor's Center
5p.m. - 8p.m.
Feb. 1 - Mountain Home, AR
Arkansas State University
Vada Sheid Community Development Center
5p.m. - 8p.m.
Background Information
Beaver Lake is operated as part of a system of lakes on the White River to reduce peak flows in the river downstream. Three operational changes are being made to reduce how often Beaver Lake is high in the flood pool. Lowering the frequency of sustained high pools will reduce the population at risk of flooding. Two changes modify the direct operation of Beaver Lake and a third allows for faster evacuation of flood storage from the four upper White River lakes: Beaver, Table Rock, Bull Shoals, and Norfork.
