USGS Water Science Centers are located in each state.
Lake Dardanelle (Real Time) Fishing Conditions
<img alt="LDS in Water" src="images/ldsImage2.jpg" width="500" height="262">
Real-time Time Series Plots and Data Downloads
To view water temperature, dissolved oxygen, air temperature, wind speed and direction for Lake Dardanelle click image to the left.
The USGS provides realtime streamflow, stage, water-quality, and precipitation information for more than 130 locations across Arkansas. This information is updated to our web page every one to four hours via satellite. Users can view the information on graphs showing changes in streamflow or stage during the last 7 to 60 days.
Water Temperature and
Dissolved Oxygen Contour Plots
To view color contour plots of water temperature and dissolved oxygen concentrations at various depths through time, click image to the left.
OLARIS is a web-based interface that provides visualization of real-time data, numerical simulation results, and sustainability indices for the lakes, estuaries and coastal waters that make up current and proposed projects at the Centre for Water Research. This site is part of a Real Time Management (RTM) system designed to focus our knowledge of these systems and provide up-to-date information to assist with management decision-making.
Real time temperature and oxygen data is displayed by the Centre for Water Research.
About this Station
The Lake Diagnostic Station (LDS) is a stationary, continuous, real-time, lake-water and meteorologic monitoring instrument. The instrument provides a complete system for long-term water-quality monitoring and lake management, developed by the Centre for Water Research at the University of Western Australia and manufactured by Precision Measurement Engineering, Inc. (PME). Data are transmitted by cell phone, radio modem, or satellite, from the LDS to a shore station for up-to-date, quasi real-time broadcast.
A LDS was installed in Lake Dardanelle, Arkansas March 17, 2009, to provide recent trends and up-to-date (quasi real time) water temperature and dissolved oxygen conditions in the lake and wind speed and direction, air temperature, and other meteorological information, for the public to access during the
B.A.S.S. Elite Series Diamond Drive Tournament,
March 26-29. The LDS was installed and is operated by the U.S. Geological Survey, Arkansas Water Science Center. PME supplied the station and USGS and
Beaver Water District
supplied the instrumentation for this purpose. Water temperature is measured at 16 depths within the 28-foot water column and dissolved oxygen concentration is measured at 8 depths, at 30-second intervals, to provide a detailed vertical description of water-quality conditions, through time. Immediately above the water surface, the LDS measures wind speed and direction, air temperature and relative humidity, short- and long-wave radiation at 30-second intervals for a detailed description of meteoroligic conditions, through time. To view and download the various data, click on the links below.
Lake Dardanelle, constructed under the supervision of the Corps of Engineers’ Little Rock District, is one of the most accessible and attractive recreation areas in Arkansas. With nearly 40,000 acres of boating and fishing waters and rimmed by choice picnic and camping areas, it is the ideal leisure-time destination. Two miles wide in places, it reaches 50 miles upstream to the Ozark-Jeta Taylor Lock and Dam and has 315 miles of shoreline. Parks on Lake Dardanelle offer many recreational opportunities. Each has drinking water, toilet facilities, and picnic tables. Several have boat launch ramps, trailer dump stations, electrical sites with water, and group picnic shelters. Public boat docks offer boat and motor rental services, fuel, food, and other supplies and services. The Arkansas River has for many years been popular with fishermen for its large catfish. White bass are native to the river, with adults traveling in schools and feeding near the surface. Bream, crappie, and largemouth bass are stocked in the lake and provide excellent sport fishing. With no closed season and mild winters, fishing is good year round. Located near the Ozark and Ouachita National Forests, the area has an abundance of wildlife. There is in-season hunting for deer, turkey, water fowl and other small game. This game and the picturesque shoreline provide ideal conditions for nature enthusiasts and camera bugs. The River Valley is a favorite wintering area for the American Bald Eagle. From late fall through early spring, eagle are often seen perched in large trees and on snags along the river as they hunt for their favorite prey – fish. Popular viewing areas include Old Post Road Park in Russellville and Holla Bend National Wildlife Refuge, southeast of Dardanelle.
About Lake Dardanelle State Park
Lake Dardanelle State Park
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Surrounded by the natural beauty for which the Arkansas River Valley is known, Lake Dardanelle is a sprawling 34,300-acre reservoir on the Arkansas River. These two water resources combined here have put this area into the national spotlight as a major bass fishing tournament site. Lake Dardanelle State Park offers two areas on the lake: one park site is at Russellville, and the other is located at nearby Dardanelle. Both the Russellville (main park) and Dardanelle locations offer camping (74 sites: Russellville--16 Class AAA, 14 Class AA, and 26 Class B; Dardanelle Area--18 Class B), launch ramps, standard pavilions, picnic sites, restrooms, and bathhouses with hot showers.
Fishing Forecast for Lake Dardanelle
Corps of Engineers map of Lake Dardanelle
U.S. Department of the Interior |
U.S. Geological Survey
