Orleans Lake Dam dam
Orleans Lake Dam
Orleans Lake Dam, located in Orange County, Indiana, is a critical structure owned by the local government and regulated by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. Built in 1950, this earth dam stands at a height of 16 feet and spans a length of 1783 feet, with a storage capacity of 299 acre-feet. The dam serves multiple purposes, including water supply and flood control for the unnamed tributary of Lost River, making it an essential resource for the region.
Despite its importance, Orleans Lake Dam is facing challenges in terms of its condition assessment, with a poor rating and a high hazard potential. The last inspection in 2017 highlighted the need for improvements, emphasizing the urgent need for maintenance and repairs to ensure the safety and functionality of the dam. With a moderate risk level assigned and limited risk management measures in place, stakeholders must prioritize the upkeep and rehabilitation of this infrastructure to mitigate potential risks and safeguard the surrounding community and environment.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, it is crucial to advocate for investment and support for Orleans Lake Dam to address its current condition and enhance its resilience for the future. By working collaboratively with local authorities, regulatory agencies, and stakeholders, we can ensure the sustainable management of this vital water resource and contribute to the overall resilience of the region in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 Orleans Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| East Fork White River Near Bedford | 6,410 cfs | → |
| East Fork White River At Shoals | 12,100 cfs | → |
| West Fork Blue River At Salem | 220 cfs | → |
| Blue River At Fredericksburg | 13,200 cfs | → |
| Patoka River At Jasper | 567 cfs | → |
| Blue River Near White Cloud | 11,300 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Orleans Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- South Co Road 550 West 3941-4299, Paoli
- Indiana 145 7772, French Lick
- East Delaney Millport Road 76, Vallonia
- Orange County
- Indiana 145 9401-9679, French Lick
- County Road 1075 West, French Lick
Campgrounds
- Spring Mill State Park
- Campground
- Springs Valley Recreation Area
- Springs Valley Rec Area
- Martin State Forest
- Stone Creek Campground & Trails
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Junction Of North/South Forks Of Lost River To State Road 337 Bridge, Approx 4 Miles Southeast Of Orleans, In
- State Road 337 Bridge To State Road 56 Bridge At Prospect, In
- State Road 56 Bridge To Forest Purchase Boundary At Roland, In
- City Limits Of English, In To Carnes Mill Site In Ne1/4ne1/4 Of Sec 13, T3s, R1w
- Carnes Mill Site To 7.65 Miles Above Confluece With Ohio River At Confluence With Turkey Creek
Track Orleans Lake 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 Orleans Lake Dam
Where does the data for Orleans Lake 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 High 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 Orleans Lake Dam.