Daniel D. Bray Lake Dam dam
Daniel D. Bray Lake Dam
Daniel D. Bray Lake Dam, located in Switzerland County, Indiana, is a privately owned earth dam designed by the USDA NRCS and completed in 1960 for recreational purposes. The dam stands at a height of 28 feet and spans 350 feet, creating a reservoir with a maximum storage capacity of 46 acre-feet. The primary purposes of the dam are for fish and wildlife pond enhancement as well as recreational activities.
Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential, the dam's condition assessment is rated as poor, with the last inspection conducted in March 2017. The risk assessment for Daniel D. Bray Lake Dam is moderate, highlighting the need for potential risk management measures to ensure the safety of the surrounding community and environment. With a drainage area of 0.06 square miles and a surface area of 4.1 acres, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources and supporting the local ecosystem.
The dam is situated on the South Fork Laughery Creek, near the city of Bear Branch-Offstream, and is regulated and permitted by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. As a key feature in the Louisville District, Daniel D. Bray Lake Dam contributes to the region's water management efforts and provides opportunities for outdoor recreation. Water resource and climate enthusiasts can appreciate the dam's role in enhancing the local environment while also recognizing the importance of regular inspections and maintenance to ensure its long-term stability and functionality.
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 Daniel D. Bray Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio River At Markland Dam Near Warsaw | 68,900 cfs | → |
| Indian-Kentuck Creek Nr Canaan | 113 cfs | → |
| Woolper Creek At Woolper Road Near Burlington | 54 cfs | → |
| Eagle Creek At Glencoe | 192 cfs | → |
| Mud Lick Cr At Hwy 42 Nr Beaverlick | 68 cfs | → |
| Gunpowder Cr At Camp Ernst Rd Nr Union | 111 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Daniel D. Bray Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Lafayette Street, Vevay
- Craigs Creek Boat Ramp
- Arnold Creek Ramp
- Indiana 156 18249, Patriot
- Indiana 156 2791, Patriot
- East Riverside Drive 7301, Jefferson County
Track Daniel D. Bray 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 Daniel D. Bray Lake Dam
Where does the data for Daniel D. Bray 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 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 Daniel D. Bray Lake Dam.