Cliff Pettit Dam dam
Cliff Pettit Dam
Cliff Pettit Dam, located in LaGrange, Indiana, was completed in 1845 and stands at a height of 8 feet with a length of 200 feet. Despite its historical significance, the dam currently has an unsatisfactory condition assessment and is considered to have significant hazard potential. The last inspection of the dam took place in 2002, highlighting the need for regular monitoring and maintenance to ensure public safety and prevent potential disasters.
This private-owned dam does not fall under state regulation or jurisdiction, leading to questions about its maintenance and emergency preparedness measures. With a drainage area of 30.52 square miles and a normal storage capacity of zero, the dam's role in water resource management in the region is uncertain. The lack of updated emergency action plans and risk assessments raise concerns about the dam's ability to withstand extreme weather events and climate change impacts, making it a focal point for water resource and climate enthusiasts to monitor closely.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts delve deeper into the data surrounding Cliff Pettit Dam, there is a pressing need for increased attention to its maintenance, risk assessment, and emergency preparedness. The dam's location in LaGrange, Indiana, coupled with its historical significance and current unsatisfactory condition, underscores the importance of regular inspections and upgrades to ensure the safety of surrounding communities and the resilience of the dam in the face of changing climate patterns. With a significant hazard potential and lack of state regulation, the future of Cliff Pettit Dam remains a topic of concern and interest for those passionate about water resource management and climate adaptation strategies.
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 Cliff Pettit Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Nb Elkhart River At Cosperville | 156 cfs | → |
| Pigeon Creek Nr Angola | 87 cfs | → |
| Pigeon River Near Scott | 321 cfs | → |
| Cedar Creek At 18th Street At Auburn | 72 cfs | → |
| Tippecanoe River At North Webster | 26 cfs | → |
| Fish Creek At Hamilton | 32 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Cliff Pettit Dam.
Boat launches
- North 125 West 9707-9787, Rome City
- Lake Street 432-454, Kendallville
- 4 Noble County
- East Fawn River Road 29783, Fawn River
- South Lakeshore Drive 501-699, Kimmell
- Indiana 5 716-844, Cromwell
Campgrounds
- Bixler Lake City Campground
- Hidden Diamonds City Park
- Pigeon River State Fish And Wildlife Area
- Chain Olakes State Park
- Harper Lake Campsite
- Cade Lake County Park
Fishing spots
Track Cliff Pettit 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 Cliff Pettit Dam
Where does the data for Cliff Pettit 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 Significant 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 Cliff Pettit Dam.