Sycamore Ridge Dam dam
Sycamore Ridge Dam
Sycamore Ridge Dam, also known as the Floyds Knobs Water Supply Dam, is a private-owned structure located in Floyd, Indiana. Completed in 1964, this earth-type dam serves primarily for recreation purposes, offering a surface area of 2.75 acres and a maximum storage capacity of 38 acre-feet. Standing at a height of 28.5 feet with a structural height of 39.5 feet, the dam overlooks an unnamed tributary of Little Indian Creek, making it a picturesque spot for water resource and climate enthusiasts to explore.
Despite its recreational appeal, Sycamore Ridge Dam carries a high hazard potential and is currently assessed to be in poor condition. The dam has a history of modifications, with its last inspection conducted in January 2019. The regulatory oversight falls under the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, ensuring that the dam meets state permitting, inspection, and enforcement requirements. While the risk associated with the dam is considered moderate, ongoing risk management measures are essential to safeguard the surrounding area and maintain the dam's integrity for future generations of water and climate enthusiasts to enjoy.
As a notable feature in the Louisville District, Sycamore Ridge Dam stands as a reminder of the intersection between human-made infrastructure and the natural environment. With its unique design by Clyde E. Williams and Assoc., Inc., the dam provides both recreational opportunities and a focal point for water resource management discussions. Understanding the importance of maintaining and monitoring dams like Sycamore Ridge is crucial for sustaining water sources and addressing climate challenges in the region.
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 Sycamore Ridge Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Silver Creek Near Sellersburg | 3,490 cfs | → |
| M Fk Beargrass Cr At Lexington Rd At Louisville | 23 cfs | → |
| Muddy Fk At Mockingbird Valley Rd At Louisville | 8 cfs | → |
| Mill Creek Cutoff Near Louisville | 5 cfs | → |
| South Fork Beargrass Creek At Louisville | 2 cfs | → |
| M Fk Beargrass Cr At Old Cannons Ln At Louisville | 9 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sycamore Ridge Dam.
Boat launches
- Ohio River Greenway 100-598, New Albany
- North 27th Street Louisville
- Harrison Avenue 1021, Clarksville
- Charlestown State Park Boat Ramp
- Greenwood Road 8203, Louisville
- Cooper Chapel Road Louisville
Campgrounds
- Deam Lake State Rec Area
- Deam Lake Campground
- Buffalo Trace Co Park
- Charlestown State Park
- Clark State Forest
- South Harrison Co Park
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- City Limits Of English, In To Carnes Mill Site In Ne1/4ne1/4 Of Sec 13, T3s, R1w
- Carnes Mill Site To 7.65 Miles Above Confluece With Ohio River At Confluence With Turkey Creek
- 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
- State Road 56 Bridge To Forest Purchase Boundary At Roland, In
Track Sycamore Ridge 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 Sycamore Ridge Dam
Where does the data for Sycamore Ridge 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 Sycamore Ridge Dam.