Greer's Ferry Dam, Heber Springs, Arkansas
N 35° 31.195 W 091° 59.555
15S E 591344 N 3931168
Flood control dam on the Little Red River.
Waymark Code: WM11X3
Location: Arkansas, United States
Date Posted: 12/18/2006
Views: 228
This is a concrete dam built between 1959 and 1962 with the primary purpose being flood control. It was dedicated by President John F. Kennedy on October 3rd, 1963. A hydroelectric generation facility was completed in 1964.
Although the primary purpose is flood control, Greer's Ferry Lake has become a major water sports and fishing attraction. Greer's Ferry Dam is a "cold water release" dam and the Little Red River below the dam is an excellent trout fishing stream. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service operates a fish hatchery below the dam for raising trout to stock cold water streams in Arkansas and the contiguous states.
Arkansas highways 5 and 25 cross the Little Red River atop the dam. The coordinates given are for the JFK overlook immediately east of the dam. Another good place to view the dam is the Buckeye overlook at N35* 30.767', W091* 59.943'. It can be reached by hiking the Mossy Bluff and Buckeye trails (about 1 mile) or by driving to within about 235 feet of the overlook.
The dam is 243 feet high and 1,704 feet in length. At high water levels there are over 40,500 surface acres of water and 340 miles of shore line. Additional information about Greer's Ferry Dam can be found on the internet by searching for "Greer's Ferry Dam".