Lake Fayetteville facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Fayetteville Dam |
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View of the lake from the dam
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 Location of Lake Fayetteville Dam in Arkansas
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| Country | United States |
| Location | Fayetteville, Arkansas |
| Coordinates | 36°8′8″N 94°8′21″W / 36.13556°N 94.13917°W |
| Status | Open |
| Construction began | 1949 |
| Owner(s) | City of Fayetteville |
| Reservoir | |
| Creates | Lake Fayetteville |
| Total capacity | 286,000,000 cubic feet (8,100,000 m3) |
| Surface area | 14.9 square miles (3,900 ha) |
| Maximum length | 1,733 feet (528 m) |
| Maximum water depth | 49 feet (15 m) |
| Normal elevation | 1,257 feet (383 m) |
Lake Fayetteville is a large body of water in Fayetteville, Arkansas. It was created in 1949 by building the Lake Fayetteville Dam across Clear Creek. The lake is partly bordered by Springdale to the north.
Originally, Lake Fayetteville was built to provide drinking water for the City of Fayetteville. Today, it is a popular spot for outdoor activities. It is surrounded by homes and is a key part of the Razorback Regional Greenway. This greenway is a path used by people who love to bike and walk all over Northwest Arkansas.
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History of Lake Fayetteville
Lake Fayetteville was once the main source of drinking water for Fayetteville. However, this changed when the Beaver Water District was created. This district now supplies water to the region from Beaver Lake.
Protecting Lake Fayetteville's Water
The area around Clear Creek, which feeds into Lake Fayetteville, is growing quickly. As cities like Fayetteville and Springdale expand, rain can wash dirt and extra nutrients into the lake. These nutrients, like nitrogen and phosphorus, can cause too much plant growth in the water. Sometimes, this leads to large growths of algae.
To keep the lake healthy, the City of Fayetteville has taken steps to improve its water quality. They work to manage what flows into the lake from the surrounding land.
Dam Safety and Maintenance
In 2017, the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission checked the Lake Fayetteville Dam. They found that if the dam ever failed, it could cause flooding in the nearby city of Johnson, Arkansas. To make the dam safer, the City of Fayetteville removed many large sycamore trees from the dam structure. Trees can sometimes cause problems for dams because their roots can grow into the structure. After removing the trees, the city planted wildflowers to help stabilize the area.
Fun Things to Do at Lake Fayetteville
Lake Fayetteville offers many ways to enjoy the outdoors. It has a marina run by the City of Fayetteville where you can launch boats. There are also fishing piers where you can try to catch fish.
What Fish Live in the Lake?
The lake is home to many different types of fish. You might catch bass, crappie, carp, bluegill, or catfish.
Trails and Nature Around the Lake
There are several trails around Lake Fayetteville. One is a nature trail that goes through the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks. This dirt path has markers to help you learn about the trees. It winds through an Oak–hickory forest that is common in the Ozark Mountains.
A paved trail was also built around the lake. The first part of this trail opened in 2007, connecting to the Razorback Regional Greenway. By 2013, a full 4.5 miles (7.2 km) paved loop around the lake was finished. This trail is great for biking, walking, and running. The nature trail was also improved and expanded for mountain biking starting in 2010.
Learning at the Lake
Students from Fayetteville Public Schools and Springdale Public Schools use Lake Fayetteville as a living classroom. Since 1974, they have studied the lake's water for their biology and hydrology classes. They use the Springdale-Fayetteville Center for the Study of Aquatic Resources, which is located right on the lake. This helps them learn about water and the creatures that live in it.
Images for kids
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View of the lake from the dam
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A paved trail along the lake, perfect for biking or walking.
