RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. -- RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. — Teams with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are working to repair a stuck spillway gate at Dardanelle Lock and Dam on the Arkansas River.
The gate became stuck in the open position Tuesday morning during routine maintenance to clear floating logs and debris from the dam. The maintenance work began at 7 a.m. and normally takes less than an hour to complete.
When workers tried to lower the gate around 8:15 a.m., it would not move. The gate remains stuck in the fully open position despite repair attempts throughout the day.
"Our teams have been working all day to free the stuck gate," said Little Rock District Public Affairs Officer, Jay Townsend. "We've tried several different methods and have brought in additional equipment and personnel to help."
USACE temporarily closed navigation on the Arkansas River at 5:30 p.m. while crews work on repairs.
Engineers believe the gate may be stuck due to friction, heat expansion or mechanical binding. Repair crews have applied special lubricants and are using winches from crane barges to try to pull the gate down.
Two Corps vessels, the M/V J Gene Crump and M/V Dan Reeves, are on site assisting with repair efforts.
The Corps immediately notified area emergency management officials and the Arkansas Nuclear One power plant early in the response. USACE has coordinated with the Southwestern Power Administration to manage water flows using hydropower generators to ensure adequate water supply for Arkansas Nuclear One. Dam safety experts from the USACE Little Rock District office are onsite to assist with repairs.
Work will resume Thursday morning If current repair efforts are unsuccessful.
"Public safety remains our top priority," said Townsend. "We're taking all necessary steps to resolve this issue quickly while maintaining safe conditions on the river."
Navigation is expected to resume once repairs are completed. Updates will be provided as repairs progress.
USACE operates and maintains the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System, which includes 18 locks and dams from the Mississippi River to Catoosa, Oklahoma.
Daily river information can be obtained at www.swl-wc.usace.army.mil or the Little Rock District’s mobile App, which can be found in mobile App stores by searching for USACE Little Rock.
Recreation information can be found on the Internet at www.swl.usace.army.mil, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/littlerockusace and on X at www.x.com/usacelittlerock.