Eureka Springs Mayor Butch Berry has announced that $1.5 million requested through the Community Project Fund has been released to the city for repairs to Black Bass Dam.

The city was notified of the funds on Monday, March 4, by U.S. Rep. Steve Womack, Berry announced in a news release.

“To my recollection, this is the first time Eureka Springs has received federal funding for major projects,” Berry said in the release. “Congressman Womack has been an ardent supporter of our town and we greatly appreciate his commitment to help us repair Black Bass Dam.”

During the last 20 years, the 129-year-old Black Bass Dam has been damaged from extreme storms and aging, Berry said, adding that the erosion and decay of the structure has rendered the dam in danger of major flooding and even completely failing.

“Black Bass Dam is a significant part of Eureka Springs history,” Berry said. “It was the main source for the city municipal water supply for many years and it is one of the major city parks that is a critical part of our outdoor recreational hiking, biking, and fishing activities for residents and over 1.4 million tourists who visit Eureka Springs annually.”

The restoration and repair of the dam requires a stair step structure to the dam’s surface, according to the city’s release. It will be made with stone retaining walls, which average about 4-feet long, 14- to 16-inches tall and 2-feet in depth.

“That way, if the dam is overtopped, the energy of water coming down the north side will be dissipated by the steps and flow into an expanded spillway,” according to the release.

Womack visited Black Bass in the fall of 2022 and was startled at the condition of the dam, Berry said. Womack then submitted a request to the U.S. House Appropriations Committee for the $1.5 million through the Community Fund Project.

“We are very thankful to Congressman Womack for helping Eureka Springs acquire the funding that we have been needing to fix this important historic resource,” Berry said.