Norfork Dam water level — Arkansas
Norfork Dam in Arkansas was last measured at 554.24 ft (datum NGVD29), as of Aug 31, 2026, 8:00 AM (UTC+00:00) (USACE CWMS Data). That is 95.4% of conservation-pool capacity. Over its recent trend window the level has been rising (+2.6 ft).
- % of conservation pool full
- 95.4%
- Storage
- Not reported
- Recent trend
- ↑Rising
+2.6 ft over the trend window
Recent trend
Readings this station published between Jun 2, 2026 and Jun 23, 2026 — a 20-day window — downsampled for display.
Data: USGS Water Services (waterservices.usgs.gov) and USACE CWMS Data (cwms-data.usace.army.mil), retrieved 2026-08-31. Both public domain (a work of the U.S. Government, 17 U.S.C. §105).
Source: USACE SWL/Norfork_Dam-Headwater, retrieved Aug 31, 2026, 8:24 AM (UTC+00:00). Official page for this lake →
The dam behind Norfork Dam
Norfork Dam is held back by Norfork Dam (also recorded as Norfork Lake) , a concrete structure , standing 248 ft high and running 2,624 ft along its crest , built across NORTH FORK OF THE WHITE in Baxter County , near NORFORK . It was completed in 1944 , and is owned by USACE - Little Rock District (a federal owner) , to a design credited to CESWL.
Its recorded primary purpose is flood risk reduction — the pool is drawn down between storms so there is empty space waiting for the next flood, which is why this level can fall in dry weather and climb sharply after rain . It also serves flood risk reduction;fish and wildlife pond;recreation;hydroelectric;water supply.
It is founded on rock, with a concrete core. Its spillway is gated, so the operator can hold the pool above the spillway crest and meter what leaves. The spillway opening is 480 ft wide.
NID classes it high hazard potential. That describes what a failure would cost downstream — loss of life would be expected — and says nothing about how likely a failure is, or what condition the dam is in.
At its normal pool the reservoir covers about 22,000 acres. NID records a maximum storage of 1,983,000 acre-ft against a normal storage of 31,000 acre-ft. Its maximum discharge capacity is 331,000 cubic feet per second.
Dam facts: National Inventory of Dams record AR00159 , filed by US Army Corps of Engineers — U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, public domain. Water levels above come from USACE CWMS Data and are a separate source. (How this dam was matched to this gauge →)
How Norfork Dam compares nearby
Norfork Dam is at 95.4% of conservation-pool capacity. Of the 3 nearest lakes reporting a comparable figure, none are fuller, and 3 are lower. The fullest nearby is Table Rock Dam at 89.1% and the lowest is Greers Ferry Dam at 85.4%. 4 of 6 nearby lakes with a current trend are also rising right now.
Nearby lakes
The six nearest published lakes by centroid distance (great-circle) — cross-state neighbors included.
| Lake | State | Level | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bull Shoals Dam | AR | 657.43 ft | 33 km |
| White River at Batesville | AR | 244.27 ft | 76 km |
| Greers Ferry Dam | AR | 458.99 ft | 84 km |
| Lake Taneycomo | MO | 700.71 ft | 92 km |
| Lake Taneycomo at School of the Ozarks | MO | 700.82 ft | 99 km |
| Table Rock Dam | MO | 913.79 ft | 104 km |
Frequently asked questions
- What is the current water level of Norfork Dam?
- As of Aug 31, 2026, 8:00 AM (UTC+00:00), the pool elevation was 554.24 ft (datum NGVD29). See the trend chart above for the recent direction.
- Is Norfork Dam full right now?
- The source reports it at 95.4% of conservation-pool capacity as of Aug 31, 2026, 8:00 AM (UTC+00:00).
- Where does this data come from?
- From USACE SWL/Norfork_Dam-Headwater, retrieved Aug 31, 2026, 8:24 AM (UTC+00:00).
More in Arkansas
See every lake tracked in Arkansas, or read the methodology behind these figures.