South Pond Dam dam
South Pond Dam
South Pond Dam in Indiana, completed in 1929, stands as a crucial water supply infrastructure that also caters to recreational purposes. With a height of 15 feet and a storage capacity of 288 acre-feet, this earth dam spans 110 feet and covers a surface area of 60 acres. The dam, located in Putnam County, Indiana, is designed to withstand a maximum discharge of 360 cubic feet per second, ensuring water resource sustainability in the region.
Despite its importance, South Pond Dam is in poor condition as of the last assessment in 2008, highlighting the need for maintenance and potential upgrades. The dam's hazard potential is classified as low, but regular inspections are essential to ensure its structural integrity and overall safety. While not regulated by the state, the dam serves as a vital component of the water supply network in the area, emphasizing the significance of proper management and upkeep for long-term sustainability.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, South Pond Dam serves as a focal point for understanding the intersection of infrastructure, environmental stewardship, and community resilience. As efforts continue to maintain and improve this vital water supply structure, it underscores the ongoing challenges and opportunities in managing water resources in a changing climate. The dam's history, design, and current condition offer valuable insights into the complexities of balancing human needs with environmental considerations in an increasingly interconnected world.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around South Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Plum Creek Near Bainbridge | 2 cfs | → |
| Mill Creek Near Cataract | 180 cfs | → |
| Big Raccoon Creek Near Fincastle Ind | 82 cfs | → |
| Big Walnut Creek Near Roachdale | 79 cfs | → |
| Eel River At Bowling Green | 1,200 cfs | → |
| Big Raccoon Creek At Coxville | 729 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near South Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Lake Shore Drive Owen County
- Ten High Drive Owen County
- Brann Road Owen County
- Small Mouth Run Trail Hendricks County
- I 70 Clay County
- Marshall Road Rockville
Track South Pond Dam in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About South Pond Dam
Where does the data for South Pond Dam come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the Low hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of South Pond Dam.