Prairie Creek Reservoir Dam dam
Prairie Creek Reservoir Dam
Prairie Creek Reservoir Dam, located in Delaware, Indiana, was completed in 1959 and serves as a vital water resource for the area. Managed by a public utility, this earth dam stands at a height of 47 feet, with a structural height of 61 feet and a length of 3100 feet. The reservoir has a normal storage capacity of 22,000 acre-feet and a maximum storage capacity of 36,670 acre-feet, covering a surface area of 1275 acres.
The dam on Prairie Creek, designed by Burgess and Niple, is regulated by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its safety and functionality. With a spillway width of 300 feet and a maximum discharge of 14,597 cubic feet per second, the dam has a high hazard potential but is currently assessed to be in fair condition. In the event of an emergency, the dam operators have an emergency action plan in place to mitigate risks and protect the surrounding community.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate will appreciate the significance of Prairie Creek Reservoir Dam in providing water supply and flood control to the region. With its moderate risk assessment and ongoing maintenance efforts, this dam stands as a crucial infrastructure for managing water resources and protecting the local ecosystem. Its location on Prairie Creek adds to its ecological importance, making it a key feature in the landscape of Indiana.
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 Prairie Creek Reservoir Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| White River At Muncie | 708 cfs | → |
| Whitewater River Near Economy | 44 cfs | → |
| Mississinewa River Near Ridgeville | 38 cfs | → |
| White River At Anderson | 1,380 cfs | → |
| White River At Raible Avenue At Anderson | 1,530 cfs | → |
| Salamonie River At Portland | 242 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Prairie Creek Reservoir Dam.
Track Prairie Creek 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 Prairie Creek Reservoir Dam
Where does the data for Prairie Creek 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 Prairie Creek Reservoir Dam.