Greers Ferry Lake is the
reservoir
A reservoir (; from French ''réservoir'' ) is an enlarged lake behind a dam. Such a dam may be either artificial, built to store fresh water or it may be a natural formation.
Reservoirs can be created in a number of ways, including contr ...
formed by
Greers Ferry Dam
Greers Ferry Dam is located on the Little Red River in Cleburne County in the U.S. state of Arkansas
Arkansas ( ) is a landlocked state in the South Central United States. It is bordered by Missouri to the north, Tennessee and Mississip ...
, a
dam in Northern Arkansas. It is located about north of
Little Rock
( The "Little Rock")
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.
Geography
The reservoir consists of two lakes connected by a water-filled gorge called the Narrows. The area of the two lakes and the Narrows totals about with a combined shoreline of just over 340 miles. In the 1800s there was a town,
Higden, in the valley flooded by the lake. The farmers in Higden had constant trouble with flooding. The land was purchased, residents left and the city was abandoned, the cemeteries were moved, and the area was allowed to flood. The town has since been re-established on a nearby hill. Many nearby residents and several eyewitness accounts tell that homes and buildings still stand under the water to this day. Several roads in town can be followed to the shore where they disappear under the water, and surface on the opposite side of the lake. Most of these roads are now used as launch ramps for boats. Old West Main Street in
Heber Springs
Heber Springs is a city in and the county seat of Cleburne County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 7,165 at the 2010 census.
Geography
Heber Springs is located near the center of Cleburne County at (35.494329, −92.039168). Arkansa ...
is an example. One road in particular near "Sandy Beach" in Heber Springs is a popular fireworks show in the area during July, can be reached by divers without equipment.
In 1969, former Greers Ferry Lake Resident Engineer
Carl Garner started and led the first Annual Greers Ferry Lake & Little Red River Association litter cleanup. In 1990, the Great Arkansas Cleanup was developed, based on the Greers Ferry Lake & Little Red River Association model that Mr. Garner started.
The normal pool of Greers Ferry Lake is 461.3 feet above sea level. The lowest safe level of the lake with still being able to generate hydroelectric power is 435.0 feet. The lake has flooded various times. The lake crested at 483.95 feet in 1973. It crested above 485 feet in 1982. In April 2008, the lake topped the previous high from 1982. On April 11, 2008 the lake topped 486 feet, only a few feet away from many local houses.
Recreational use
Since the formation of Greers Ferry Lake in the early 1960s,
tourism
Tourism is travel for pleasure or business; also the theory and practice of touring (disambiguation), touring, the business of attracting, accommodating, and entertaining tourists, and the business of operating tour (disambiguation), tours. Th ...
has thrived around the lake, and the
population
Population typically refers to the number of people in a single area, whether it be a city or town, region, country, continent, or the world. Governments typically quantify the size of the resident population within their jurisdiction usi ...
has topped 6,000 in
Heber Springs
Heber Springs is a city in and the county seat of Cleburne County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 7,165 at the 2010 census.
Geography
Heber Springs is located near the center of Cleburne County at (35.494329, −92.039168). Arkansa ...
. Through the 1970s, many luxurious neighborhoods were built around the lake, and continue to be built. Various activities are available to the public: swimming, cliff diving, boating, fishing, scuba diving, camping, and other water recreational activities are popular among locals and tourists alike. Recently famous for
rainbow trout
The rainbow trout (''Oncorhynchus mykiss'') is a species of trout native to cold-water tributaries of the Pacific Ocean in Asia and North America. The steelhead (sometimes called "steelhead trout") is an anadromous (sea-run) form of the coast ...
, the
Little Red River, in the cool water coming from under the dam, has become a favorite fishing spot year round. Several camp grounds and boat docks/ramps offer direct access to the river. Also, houses, even small neighborhoods have been built around the Little Red River.
See also
*
Greers Ferry, Arkansas
Greers Ferry is a city in Cleburne County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 891 at the 2010 census.
Geography
Greers Ferry is located in western Cleburne County at (35.575588, -92.164042). It is situated on the east side of Greers F ...
*
Higden
*
Tannenbaum
References
External links
Visit Greers Ferry LakeGreers Ferry Lake information Heber Springs (Cleburne County)
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Reservoirs in Arkansas
Protected areas of Cleburne County, Arkansas
Protected areas of Van Buren County, Arkansas
Buildings and structures in Cleburne County, Arkansas
Buildings and structures in Van Buren County, Arkansas
Bodies of water of Cleburne County, Arkansas
Bodies of water of Van Buren County, Arkansas
Little Red River (Arkansas)