The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has begun reducing water releases at Norfork Dam as lake levels recede following recent heavy rainfall.
As of Saturday evening, the water level at Norfork Lake had dropped slightly below the top of the flood pool, measuring 578.93 feetjust under the 579-foot threshold.
At 4 p.m., the Corps of Engineers’ Little Rock District began closing spillway gates. Five of the twelve gates were shut, leaving seven still open. The current spillway release is approximately 3,843 cubic feet per second. Hydropower generation will continue as needed.
Earlier in the week, all twelve spillway gates had been opened half a foot to manage rising water levels, with a peak spillway release of about 6,600 c.f.s. Total outflow, including hydropower, reached approximately 12,000 c.f.s. during that time.
The Corps says it will continue to monitor conditions and adjust operations as needed. Public safety remains a top priority.
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