Lake Dardanelle

Lake Dardanelle is a major reservoir on the Arkansas River in Arkansas, USA. Russellville lies on Lake Dardanelle, and the lake provides many recreational opportunities. Lake Dardanelle covers nearly 40,000 acres (160 km²) of land, which provides lots of area for boating, fishing, picnicking, camping and scenic views. The lake extends from Dardanelle Lock and Dam (35°14′55″N 93°10′15″W) near Dardanelle, into Pope, Yell, Logan, Johnson and Franklin Counties. The lake reaches 50 miles (80 km) upstream the Arkansas River and has 315 miles (510 km) of shoreline. Each recreational park on Dardanelle has drinking water, picnic tables and toilet facilities. Most have trailer dump stations, boat launch ramps and electrical sites.

The only nuclear power plant in Arkansas, Arkansas Nuclear One, is located on the northeastern shore of Lake Dardanelle.

Winthrop Rockefeller Lake starts immediately below the Dardanelle Dam and extends almost 30 miles (50 km) southeast to the Arthur V. Ormond Lock and Dam near Morrilton. These lakes have been popular with fishermen because of their large populations of catfish, white bass, bream, crappie and other species of bass.

Mount Nebo (Arkansas) is close to the area and provides scenic views for visitors along the lake. The Ozark and Ouachita Mountains also offer great scenery and have mountain springs and recreation parks in abundance. The mountains of the Ozarks and Ouachitas are abundant in wildlife. The bald eagle often uses this area for wintering. Eagles can be seen here from late fall to early spring.

Lake Dardanelle State Park is located on two sites, one in Russellville and the other in Dardanelle. The western park includes a visitor center with aquariums and natural and cultural history displays, and a fishing pier and fishing tournament weigh-in pavilion that is used for the many fishing tournaments held at the park. Both sites offer campsites, boat launch ramps, standard pavilions, picnic sites, playgrounds and bathhouses.