Buffalo Trace Lake Dam dam
Buffalo Trace Lake Dam
Buffalo Trace Lake Dam, located in Palmyra, Indiana, is a key structure managed by the local government for flood risk reduction along the unnamed tributary of the South Fork Blue River. Built in 1971 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at a height of 15 feet and has a hydraulic height of 14 feet, with a length of 420 feet. The dam has a storage capacity of 292 acre-feet, serving the primary purpose of flood risk reduction in the region.
Despite being classified as having a significant hazard potential, Buffalo Trace Lake Dam is currently in fair condition, with the last inspection in 2019. The dam's spillway type is uncontrolled, with a width of 76 feet, and it has no outlet gates. The risk assessment for the dam is moderate (3), indicating a level of caution in its management and maintenance. With a drainage area of 0.55 square miles, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources and protecting the surrounding communities from flooding events.
As a part of the flood risk reduction infrastructure overseen by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Buffalo Trace Lake Dam stands as a vital asset in safeguarding the local area from potential water-related disasters. Its presence highlights the importance of effective water resource management and climate resilience efforts in ensuring the safety and well-being of communities in the face of changing environmental conditions.
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 Buffalo Trace Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Blue River At Fredericksburg | 932 cfs | → |
| West Fork Blue River At Salem | 12 cfs | → |
| Blue River Near White Cloud | 353 cfs | → |
| Buck Creek Near New Middletown | 14 cfs | → |
| Mill Creek Cutoff Near Louisville | 4 cfs | → |
| Silver Creek Near Sellersburg | 717 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Buffalo Trace Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- West Main Street 106, Milltown
- Ohio River Greenway 100-598, New Albany
- North Elk Creek Road 3477-3501, Scottsburg
- North 27th Street Louisville
- Harrison Avenue 1021, Clarksville
- East Wyandotte Avenue 7365, Leavenworth
Campgrounds
- Buffalo Trace Co Park
- Clark State Forest
- Deam Lake State Rec Area
- Deam Lake Campground
- Obannon Woods State Park
- Horsemen's Campground Electric
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- City Limits Of English, In To Carnes Mill Site In Ne1/4ne1/4 Of Sec 13, T3s, R1w
- Junction Of North/South Forks Of Lost River To State Road 337 Bridge, Approx 4 Miles Southeast Of Orleans, In
- Carnes Mill Site To 7.65 Miles Above Confluece With Ohio River At Confluence With Turkey Creek
- State Road 337 Bridge To State Road 56 Bridge At Prospect, In
- State Road 56 Bridge To Forest Purchase Boundary At Roland, In
Track Buffalo Trace 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 Buffalo Trace Lake Dam
Where does the data for Buffalo Trace 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 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 Buffalo Trace Lake Dam.