Somerset Lake Dam, located in Brown County, Indiana, is a privately owned earth dam that was completed in 1961 for the primary purpose of recreation.
Wind
Humidity
Standing at a height of 36 feet and with a length of 538 feet, the dam impounds an unnamed tributary of Lower Schooner Creek, creating a surface area of 22.8 acres and a storage capacity of 580 acre-feet. The dam is regulated by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and is subject to state permitting, inspection, and enforcement.
With a high hazard potential and a satisfactory condition assessment as of 2005, Somerset Lake Dam poses a moderate risk according to a recent assessment. The spillway type is uncontrolled, with a width of 22 feet, and the dam has no outlet gates. The dam's last inspection was conducted in August 2019, with an inspection frequency of every two years. While the dam meets current guidelines, there is no Emergency Action Plan (EAP) in place, and risk management measures are not specified. Water resource and climate enthusiasts may find Somerset Lake Dam a fascinating subject for further study and monitoring, given its recreational significance and the potential risks associated with its operation.
Year Completed |
1961 |
Dam Length |
538 |
Dam Height |
36 |
River Or Stream |
UNNAMED TRIBUTARY LOWER SCHOONER CREEK |
Primary Dam Type |
Earth |
Surface Area |
22.8 |
Hydraulic Height |
36 |
Drainage Area |
0.75 |
Nid Storage |
580 |
Structural Height |
36 |
Outlet Gates |
None |
Hazard Potential |
High |
Foundations |
Rock, Soil |
Nid Height |
36 |
North Fork Salt Creek At Nashville
|
18cfs |
East Fork White River At Columbus
|
602cfs |
Flatrock River At Columbus
|
178cfs |
Driftwood River Near Edinburgh Ind
|
419cfs |
Sugar Creek Near Edinburgh
|
121cfs |
White River Near Centerton
|
570cfs |
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
|---|---|---|
Horseman's Camp
|
||
Yellowwood State Forest
|
||
Brown County State Park
|
||
Primitive Campground
|
||
B & D
|
||
Paynetown State Rec Area - Monroe Lake
|