Bittersweet Moors Lake Dam dam
Bittersweet Moors Lake Dam
Bittersweet Moors Lake Dam, located in Allen, Indiana, is a private structure designed by the USDA NRCS for the primary purpose of serving as a Fish and Wildlife Pond. Completed in 1971, this earth dam stands at a height of 23 feet with a hydraulic height of 19 feet, stretching 350 feet in length. It boasts a storage capacity of 124 acre-feet, providing vital habitat for aquatic wildlife in the area.
Despite its significant role in supporting local biodiversity, Bittersweet Moors Lake Dam has been assessed as being in poor condition, with a low hazard potential. The last inspection in 2006 revealed areas of concern, highlighting the need for proper maintenance and rehabilitation to ensure the safety and longevity of the structure. With no state regulations, inspections, or enforcement in place, the responsibility for the dam's upkeep falls solely on its private owner.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, it is crucial to monitor the condition of dams like Bittersweet Moors Lake Dam to safeguard against potential risks and environmental impacts. By staying informed and advocating for proper maintenance and management practices, we can help preserve these valuable ecosystems and ensure the continued health of our water resources for future generations.
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 Bittersweet Moors Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| St. Marys River Near Fort Wayne | 187 cfs | → |
| Little River Near Huntington | 54 cfs | → |
| Maumee River At Fort Wayne | 412 cfs | → |
| Maumee River At New Haven | 520 cfs | → |
| St. Joseph River Near Fort Wayne | 1,050 cfs | → |
| Cedar Creek Near Cedarville | 74 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bittersweet Moors Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Huntington County
- Mayhew Road 8946, Allen County
- South Woodstrail Road Dr-57 5609, Albion
- West Lakeshore Dr-57 3511, Columbia City
- Grabill Road 10943-10999, Leo-Cedarville
- 4 Noble County
Campgrounds
- Johnny Appleseed Park
- Lake Clare Park Camp
- Kil-So-Quah - J. Edward Roush Lake
- Ouabache State Park
- Chain Olakes State Park
- Mt. Etna State Rec Area
Fishing spots
Track Bittersweet Moors 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 Bittersweet Moors Lake Dam
Where does the data for Bittersweet Moors 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 Bittersweet Moors Lake Dam.