Elk Creek Dam No. 9 dam
Elk Creek Dam No. 9
Elk Creek Dam No. 9, also known as Elk Lake, is a crucial water resource infrastructure located in Washington County, Indiana. Constructed in 1962 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at a height of 43 feet and serves the primary purpose of flood risk reduction along Elk Creek. With a storage capacity of 1182 acre-feet and a normal storage of 519 acre-feet, the dam plays a significant role in managing water levels and minimizing flood risks in the region.
Managed by the local government and regulated by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Elk Creek Dam No. 9 has been assessed to be in fair condition as of October 2010. Despite its significant hazard potential, with a risk assessment rating of High (2), the dam continues to operate effectively in mitigating flood risks and ensuring water security for the surrounding area. With no spillway and outlet gates, the dam relies on its structural integrity and design to manage water flow and protect downstream areas from potential flooding events.
Located in Pumpkin Center, the Elk Creek Dam No. 9 is a vital component of the water management infrastructure in the region, providing critical flood risk reduction capabilities. With its stone core and rock-soil foundations, the dam continues to serve its purpose effectively, safeguarding communities and properties along Elk Creek. As climate change impacts water resources, maintaining and monitoring the condition of dams like Elk Creek Dam No. 9 becomes increasingly important to ensure their continued functionality and resilience in the face of evolving environmental challenges.
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 Elk Creek Dam No. 9 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| West Fork Blue River At Salem | 550 cfs | → |
| Muscatatuck River Near Deputy | 3,850 cfs | → |
| Blue River At Fredericksburg | 4,870 cfs | → |
| Silver Creek Near Sellersburg | 3,880 cfs | → |
| East Fork White River At Seymour Ind | 13,200 cfs | → |
| East Fork White River Near Bedford | 12,500 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Elk Creek Dam No. 9.
Boat launches
- North Elk Creek Road 3477-3501, Scottsburg
- County Road 775 South, Vallonia
- East Delaney Millport Road 76, Vallonia
- Jackson County
- West Blake Road 15976, Deputy
- Boat Ramp Access Jackson County
Campgrounds
- Clark State Forest
- Delaney Creek Park
- Deam Lake Campground
- Starve Hollow State Rec Area
- Deam Lake State Rec Area
- Jackson - Washington State Forest
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
- City Limits Of English, In To Carnes Mill Site In Ne1/4ne1/4 Of Sec 13, T3s, R1w
- State Road 56 Bridge To Forest Purchase Boundary At Roland, In
- Carnes Mill Site To 7.65 Miles Above Confluece With Ohio River At Confluence With Turkey Creek
Track Elk Creek Dam No. 9 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 Elk Creek Dam No. 9
Where does the data for Elk Creek Dam No. 9 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 Significant 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 Elk Creek Dam No. 9.