Prescribed burn planned at Lake Fayetteville dam

Lake Fayetteville dam as seen in January 2022. The dam is currently closed for a trail widening project.

Photo: Todd Gill, Fayetteville Flyer

A prescribed burn is scheduled for Wednesday, March 2 at Lake Fayetteville Dam if predicted weather conditions materialize.

The burn is scheduled to begin around 1 p.m. and will take place on the downstream slope and wetland area below the dam, according to a news release. The burn is expected to last about an hour.

Officials said the burn is necessary to remove vegetation that currently prevents thorough inspections on the dam and the wetland area below the dam. One complete, city crews will immediately repair any animal burrows or other threats to the integrity of the dam in areas that are difficult to inspect during other times of the year, the release stated.

From the city:

Ozark Ecological Restoration Inc. will conduct the burn in cooperation with the city’s Public Works Department. Prior to the completion of the burn, crews will assure that all sparks and embers have been fully extinguished. Both Fayetteville and Springdale fire departments will be notified and on standby status to assist, if needed.

The burns only will be implemented under a strict set of weather and environmental parameters such as fuel, moisture, relative humidity and smoke dispersion indices.

The trail on the dam is currently closed for a trail widening project. Officials said no further closures of the trail or surrounding park area are expected during the burn.

For more information, call the Parks Department at 479-444-3471.