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Blue Mountain Lake

Nestled in the shadow of Mount Magazine, Arkansas's highest mountain, offering premier recreation since 1947

Completed

1947

Surface Area

2,910 acres

Shoreline

54 miles

Dam Height

148 feet

Scenic view of Blue Mountain Lake from an overlook with mountains in the background

Lake Drawdown In Progress

Blue Mountain Lake is currently being lowered below normal pool

Drawdown began May 1, 2026 | Target Pool: elevation 374 (10 ft below normal) by July 25 | Holds through Nov. 1, 2026

What This Means for You

Boat ramps: Lake access is available through a temporary ramp at Ashley Creek Park only.
Swim beach: Closed during maintenance work being performed while the lake is low.
Prohibited activities: Water skiing, tubing, personal watercraft (jet ski), and ATV/UTV use on the lakebed are not permitted during the drawdown.

Please use caution. Lower water exposes hazards that are normally submerged. Wear a life jacket and watch for shallow areas, exposed structures, and soft mud near the shoreline.

More About the Drawdown

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Why the Lake Is Being Lowered

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Little Rock District, in partnership with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC), is conducting a scheduled drawdown of Blue Mountain Lake to support habitat improvement for fish and waterfowl. Water is being released from Blue Mountain Dam to lower the lake from elevation 384 to elevation 374 over approximately three months. Lowering the lake consolidates fish into deeper water (improving fishing success) and allows sunlight to reach the exposed lakebed, promoting vegetation growth that enhances habitat once the lake refills. The last drawdown at Blue Mountain Lake occurred in 2012.

Additional Impacts & Maintenance

Submerged hazards: Shallow water and submerged hazards are present throughout the lake as water levels drop.
Maintenance underway: USACE is using the low water to perform maintenance on the swim beach, boat ramps, and buoys.

Protect Exposed Artifacts — Do Not Collect

As water levels drop, Native American and other historic artifacts may become visible along the exposed lakebed and shoreline. These resources are protected by federal law under the Archaeological Resources Protection Act (ARPA). Disturbing, digging for, damaging, or removing artifacts from federal property is illegal and can result in significant fines or imprisonment.

If you find an artifact:

Leave it where it is — do not pick it up, move it, or dig around it.
Do not post its location publicly or on social media, which can invite looting.
Note the general location and take a photo from where you stand, if you can do so safely.
Report the find to the Nimrod-Blue Mountain Site Office at the number below so Corps staff can document and protect it.

If you witness someone digging for or removing artifacts, please report it to the site office.

Check current lake levels: View real-time water level data →

Questions About the Drawdown?

Nimrod-Blue Mountain Site Office
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Phone: (479) 272-4324

Water Level Mobile App: USACE Little Rock Water Level App

Welcome to Blue Mountain Lake

Blue Mountain Lake is located in the shadow of Mt. Magazine, Arkansas's highest mountain. Blue Mountain Lake has offered many recreational opportunities since its completion in 1947.

Modern campgrounds provide tent and trailer spaces, electrical and water hookups, showers, boat launching ramps, parking areas, fish cleaning stations, and many other amenities. The excellent fishery in the lake includes largemouth and white bass, crappie, bream, and catfish. Other water sports, such as water skiing, swimming, and boating are also very popular activities. A shady, cypress tree-lined swimming area in Waveland Park provides a relaxing respite from a busy day at the lake.

The Blue Mountain Wildlife Demonstration Area is located on the west end of the lake property. It is a world class bird dog field trial area that attracts visitors from throughout the United States and several other countries. The abundant public forests around the lake are open to in-season hunting, hiking, birding, sightseeing, and other outdoor activities.

The lake is within easy traveling distance of many other points of interest in the state. Mt. Magazine State Park is located just north of the lake on the mountain for which it is named; it is accessible on very good state highways with a short 30-minute drive from the lake. Blue Mountain Lake's location between the Ozark and Ouachita National Forests complements the natural beauty of the area. There are plenty of activities available to keep any visitor to Blue Mountain Lake busy.

Visit Western Arkansas's Most Beautiful Lake

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers invites you to visit one of western Arkansas's most beautiful lakes. You will want to return again and again.

For information on reserving campsites and checking campground availability, please visit Recreation.gov or contact the Blue Mountain Lake Field Office.

Shoreline Management and Master Plan

Final Master Plan documents, Environmental Assessment, and the Spillway Bridge Replacement assessments

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Blue Mountain Lake Master Plan — FINAL Documents

Master Plan Documents

Master Plan Environmental Assessment

Spillway Bridge Replacement — Environmental Assessment

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Little Rock District, has released a Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) and Draft Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the Blue Mountain Lake Spillway Bridge Replacement project. This project involves the demolition and reconstruction of the existing spillway bridge structure to ensure continued safe access and structural integrity. This effort is separate from the lake's long-term Master Plan listed above.

Spillway Bridge Replacement Documents

Public Comment Period

Comment Period: February 11, 2026 – February 25, 2026

How to Submit Comments: Comments on the Draft EA and Draft FONSI for the spillway bridge replacement may be submitted using the online comment form, or by email or postal mail to the project office. All comments must be received by the deadline date to be considered.

Submit Comments Online (Recommended)

Submit Comments To:
Blue Mountain Lake Spillway Bridge Replacement Project
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
700 W. Capitol Avenue
Little Rock, AR 72201

Project Manager: Send Email

Recreation Activities

Swimming, boating, camping, fishing, and more outdoor recreation

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Blue Mountain Lake is a perfect place for outdoor recreation enthusiasts to swim, ski, boat, camp, picnic, hunt, or fish. There are two full service parks and three developed parks with water access points on the Lake. Waveland Park, Ashley Creek, and Lick Creek are on the lake itself; Hise Hill is on the Petit Jean River upstream of the lake; and Outlet Area Park is on the river immediately downstream of Blue Mountain Dam. These parks offer 8 boat launching ramps, 1 designated swimming beach, 1 group picnic shelter, 2 playgrounds, and miles of undeveloped scenic shoreline.

Please Be Aware: Due to unforeseen circumstances such as high lake levels or storm damage, it may be necessary to close certain areas and/or facilities in the parks or on the lake. It is recommended that you contact the Blue Mountain Lake Field Office before you leave home if you think this could be a possible issue.

Natural Resources

Wildlife management, habitat conservation, and environmental stewardship

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Photo of Bald Eagle at Blue Mountain Lake - Taken By: Bobby J. Rice

Wise management of natural resources on and around Blue Mountain Lake is necessary and important to maintain the quality of the environment we enjoy. The public land that surrounds the lake provides a buffer that ensures high quality water, as well as habitat for the abundant wildlife and plants found here. Comprehensive natural resource plans are developed to guide our efforts toward accomplishing this goal. The US Army Corps of Engineers, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, and volunteer groups play important roles in the cooperative management of hunting and non-hunting areas.

Management of natural resources on Blue Mountain Lake emphasizes the biological requirements, as well as the recreational and scenic interests and will be managed as a watershed approach. Protection and enhancement of existing resources, while allowing maximum and practical use, will be the management concept. Enhancement of the existing resource will be accomplished in areas where site potential warrants, or where carrying capacity can be reasonably increased without degradation of the existing resource. The primary goal of Natural Resource Management is to follow accepted conservation practices that will enhance the recreational and wildlife values and benefit the total environment.

Project Statistics

Total project acreage: 17,018 acres
Land above flood conservation pool: 5,968 acres
Land between conservation and flood control pools: 7,700 acres
Conservation pool surface area: approximately 3,550 acres
Flood control pool surface area: approximately 11,000 acres
Management units: 15 divisions

Habitat Types

Bottomland hardwoods
Pine plantations
Mature and old growth pine stands
Pine-oak-hickory mixed forests
Wetlands
Grasslands

These habitat types consist of early stages of ecological succession to mature forest type stands.

Our Mission: We intend to maintain and create healthy ecosystems that will promote wildlife habitat and timber production, while enhancing recreation, preserving aesthetic values, and protecting soil, air, and water quality. We will also protect all cultural and historical resources on the project.

Water Safety

Important safety tips for boating, swimming, and water activities

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Water Safety Tips

Wear "Coast Guard Approved" life jackets when around water. Most people do not expect to end up in the water, and of those who drown, 90% are not wearing a life jacket.
Water and alcohol do not mix.
Check weather forecasts before embarking on water activities.
Be aware of your personal water skills and knowledge.

Ranger educating children about water safety

Boating Safety Tips

Wear a "Coast Guard Approved" life jacket - many types and styles are available.
Check all safety equipment - replace and repair before launching.
File a float plan with family and friends.
Be a courteous boater - follow the rules of the road.
Swimming near or under platforms on outboard motorboats, where CO (carbon monoxide) fumes accumulate, can kill.

Swimming Tips

Wear a life jacket!
Learn to swim. It is an important skill for all ages.
Never swim alone, always swim with a buddy.
Always swim in designated swimming areas.
Diving or jumping from cliffs and bluffs invites tragedy.
Always supervise children of all ages when around open bodies of water.

Volunteer Information

Learn how you can help support Blue Mountain Lake

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Volunteer and Park Ranger putting together a fish shelter

Volunteers assisted with putting together and placing fish shelters along the shoreline during the 2012 Blue Mountain Lake Drawdown.

Interested in Volunteering? Contact the Blue Mountain Lake Field Office to learn about current volunteer opportunities and how you can make a difference at the lake.

Contact Information:

Blue Mountain Lake Field Office
Phone: (479) 947-2372
Email: ceswl-nb-bm@usace.army.mil

Dam and Lake Information

Project history and construction details from 1940-1947

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Project History

The initial construction of the Blue Mountain Lake Project began in 1940. All construction on Blue Mountain Lake was halted in 1942 in order to focus all available government resources in winning World War II. Work wasn't resumed until after the war. The project was completed in June, 1947.

Blue Mountain Lake is part of a comprehensive plan for flood control and development of the water resources in the Petit Jean River and lower Arkansas River Valleys. Construction cost of the dam was approximately $4.8 million dollars.

Recreation was not a part of the initial mission of Blue Mountain Lake, but through the years it has evolved into a significant part of the project. Blue Mountain Lake now offers a full range of recreational opportunities, including camping, swimming, boating and hunting.

The project celebrated its Golden Anniversary in June, 1997 with festivities for the public and special emphasis on honoring former construction workers who helped to build the project.

Current Lake Levels: View real-time water level data →

Contact Blue Mountain Lake Field Office

Blue Mountain Lake Field Office
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

10152 Outlet Park Road
Havana, AR 72842

Phone: (479) 947-2372

Email: ceswl-nb-bm@usace.army.mil