Morse Reservoir Dam dam
Morse Reservoir Dam
Morse Reservoir Dam, located in Hamilton County, Indiana, serves as a critical water supply source and supports various recreational activities such as fishing and wildlife observation. Built in 1955 by Dodson, Kinney, & Lindblom from Columbus, Ohio, this earth dam stands at a height of 70 feet with a hydraulic height of 45 feet, effectively storing up to 49,300 acre-feet of water. The dam spans 1,500 feet across the Cicero Creek, creating a surface area of 1,375 acres and serving a drainage area of 216 square miles.
With a spillway width of 550 feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 66,513 cubic feet per second, Morse Reservoir Dam is designed to manage high hazard potential and has been deemed satisfactory in condition assessments. Despite its age, the dam undergoes regular inspections every two years to ensure its structural integrity and safety. The dam's risk assessment is categorized as moderate, signifying the importance of ongoing risk management measures to mitigate potential hazards and ensure the safety of surrounding communities and ecosystems.
As a vital component of Indiana's water infrastructure, Morse Reservoir Dam exemplifies the intersection of water resource management and climate resilience. Its role in providing water supply, supporting recreation, and regulating water flow underscores the importance of sustainable dam operations and monitoring practices in the face of changing climate patterns. The dam's enduring presence highlights the ongoing efforts to balance the needs of water users with the preservation of natural resources in a dynamic and evolving environment.
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 Morse Reservoir Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| White River At Noblesville | 3,030 cfs | → |
| Stony Creek Near Noblesville | 147 cfs | → |
| White River Near Nora | 3,300 cfs | → |
| Fall Creek Near Fortville | 725 cfs | → |
| Eagle Creek At Zionsville | 385 cfs | → |
| Fall Creek At Millersville | 1,770 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Morse Reservoir Dam.
Track Morse Reservoir 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 Morse Reservoir Dam
Where does the data for Morse Reservoir 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 Morse Reservoir Dam.