Lake Ouachita, << WAHSH ih taw, >> is an artificially created lake near Hot Springs, Ark. The lake covers about 63 square miles (163 square kilometers). It is about 20 miles (32 kilometers) long and about 5 miles (8 kilometers) wide at its widest point. It has 690 miles (1,110 kilometers) of shoreline. Lake Ouachita is formed by the Blakely Mountain Dam on the Ouachita River. It was created in 1955. The lake provides flood control and hydroelectric power and is also used for recreation. Lake Ouachita is located in the Ouachita National Forest. Ouachita State Park lies along the lake.
