Greers Ferry Lake

Infobox lake
lake_name = Greers Ferry Lake
image_lake = Gferrydam.jpg
caption_lake = Greers Ferry Dam
image_bathymetry =
caption_bathymetry =
location = Northern Arkansas, mostly in Heber Springs
coords =
type = reservoir
inflow = Little Red River
outflow = Little Red River
catchment =
basin_countries = United States
length =
width =
area = convert|40500|acre|km2|0
depth =
max-depth = 300+ in areas
volume =
residence_time =
shore =
elevation =
islands =
cities =

Greers Ferry Lake is the artificial reservoir formed by Greers Ferry Dam, a United States Army Corps of Engineers dam in Northern Arkansas. It is located about convert|60|mi|km|-1 north of Little Rock.

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 convert|40500|acre|km2|0 with a combined shoreline of just over 340 miles. It should be noted that there was once a city, Higden, under this lake. The farmers in Hidgen had constant trouble with flooding. The land was purchased, residents left and the city was abandoned and allowed to flood. The town has since been reestablished on the hill. One local legend and several eyewitness accounts tell that homes and buildings still stand under the water to this day, a watery ghost town. 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. One 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.

Carl Garner, former "Greers Ferry Lake" Resident Engineer since 1959, started the Carl Garner Federal Lands Cleanup Day in 1985.

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.

External links

* [http://www.greersferrylake.org Greers Ferry Lake information]