Lake Maumelle is a reservoir located in central Arkansas, United States, primarily within Pulaski County and extending into parts of Saline County. The lake is situated approximately 12 miles (19 km) northwest of Little Rock and serves as the principal water‑supply source for the city’s municipal water system.
Geography and Physical Characteristics
- Coordinates: 34°50′N 92°26′W.
- Surface area: Approximately 8,900 acres (36 km²).
- Maximum depth: About 65 feet (20 m).
- Total storage capacity: Roughly 185,000 acre‑feet (228 million m³).
- Primary inflow: The Arkansas River, supplemented by tributary streams and precipitation runoff.
- Outflow: Managed through the Maumelle Dam and associated spillway, returning water to the Arkansas River system.
History and Development
Construction of the Maumelle Dam began in the early 1970s as part of a municipal water‑supply project initiated by the City of Little Rock. The reservoir was filled gradually and became operational in 1977. The project was designed to meet the growing water‑demand of the Little Rock metropolitan area and to provide flood‑control benefits downstream.
Management and Usage
Lake Maumelle is owned and operated by the Little Rock Water Utilities Department. The lake’s water is treated at the nearby Maumelle Water Treatment Plant before distribution to consumers. In addition to its utility function, the reservoir supports recreational activities such as boating, fishing, and limited shoreline picnicking. Access to the lake is regulated, with designated boat launches and parks managed by state and local agencies.
Ecology
The reservoir hosts a variety of fish species typical of Arkansas freshwater habitats, including largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), white crappie (Pomoxis annularis), and channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus). Aquatic vegetation is present along the shoreline, providing habitat for waterfowl and other wildlife. Ongoing water‑quality monitoring by the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality tracks parameters such as temperature, dissolved oxygen, and nutrient levels to ensure compliance with safe drinking‑water standards.
Infrastructure
- Maumelle Dam: An earthen embankment dam approximately 72 feet (22 m) high and 2,400 feet (730 m) long.
- Spillway: Controlled to maintain lake levels within a prescribed range for water supply reliability and flood mitigation.
- Water Treatment Facilities: Serve the lake’s intake and incorporate conventional treatment processes, including coagulation, filtration, and disinfection.
Environmental and Regulatory Context
Lake Maumelle falls under the jurisdiction of multiple regulatory frameworks, including the Clean Water Act (federal) and Arkansas Water Quality Standards (state). The lake’s watershed management practices aim to minimize sedimentation and pollutant loading from surrounding development and agricultural lands. Periodic assessments are conducted to address invasive species and to maintain ecological balance.
References
- City of Little Rock Water Utilities Department, “Lake Maumelle Overview.”
- Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality, “Lake Maumelle Water Quality Monitoring Reports.”
- United States Geological Survey (USGS) topographic maps and hydrographic data for Pulaski and Saline Counties.
