Area History

Construction on the Greers Ferry Dam began in March 1959. As soon as construction started on the dam, hundreds of workers arrived in Heber Springs. By early Spring 1960, residents parked trailers on nearly every vacant lot and in the yards of some private homes. Newcomers rented all unoccupied houses. Builders were rushing new houses to completion. New stores, motels and restaurants strained the available utilities. Local farmers felt the effect of the project as demand for agricultural produce, livestock and poultry increased until construction was completed in December 1962.

The dam and reservoir were dedicated Oct. 3, 1963 by President John F. Kennedy. It was his last major public appearance before his final trip to Dallas on Nov. 22, 1963. In his remarks in Heber Springs, Kennedy explained that the Greers Ferry project and other like it were investments in Arkansas’ and the nation’s future.

Once Greers Ferry Lake had filled, tourism boomed. New businesses catered to tourists, and older businesses expanded. The reservoir that filled behind it consists of two lakes connected by a water-filled gorge called the Narrows. The area of the two lakes and the Narrows totals about 40,500 acres with a combined shoreline of just over 340 miles.

Construction of the powerhouse and switchyard was completed in July 1964. The total cost of the project was approximately $46.5 million.