Norman J. Dobell Lake Dam dam
Norman J. Dobell Lake Dam
Located in Guilford, Indiana, the Norman J. Dobell Lake Dam, also known as Maxwell Lake Dam, stands as a testament to the collaborative efforts of the USDA NRCS. Completed in 1971, this private-owned earth dam serves primarily for recreation purposes, offering a serene retreat for water resource and climate enthusiasts. Situated on the East Fork Tanners Creek, this dam boasts a height of 38.5 feet and a capacity of 54 acre-feet, providing a surface area of 4.9 acres for visitors to enjoy.
Despite its low hazard potential and fair condition assessment, the Norman J. Dobell Lake Dam is subject to regulatory oversight by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, ensuring that it meets stringent safety standards. While lacking a spillway, this dam maintains a maximum discharge capacity of 484 cubic feet per second, safeguarding the surrounding community from potential flooding risks. With its last inspection conducted in January 2021 and a regular inspection frequency of 5 years, the dam continues to be monitored closely to uphold its safety and structural integrity.
The picturesque setting of the Norman J. Dobell Lake Dam, nestled in Dearborn County, Indiana, offers a tranquil escape for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. With its rich history, scenic surroundings, and commitment to safety and conservation, this dam serves as a vital resource for the local community and a testament to the importance of responsible water management in a changing climate.
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 Norman J. Dobell Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Whitewater River At Brookville | 9,940 cfs | → |
| Woolper Creek At Woolper Road Near Burlington | 132 cfs | → |
| Elijahs Creek @ Elijahs Creek Rd Nr Hebron | 29 cfs | → |
| Gunpowder Cr At Camp Ernst Rd Nr Union | 563 cfs | → |
| Great Miami River At Hamilton Oh | 12,000 cfs | → |
| Whitewater River Near Alpine | 6,020 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Norman J. Dobell Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Lawrenceburg Road 4836, Whitewater Township
- Hamilton County Parks - Shawnee Lookout
- Cooper Avenue 56, Cleves
- Tanner’S Creek Drive Lawrenceburg
- Bischoff Reservoir Launch
- Broadway Street Aurora
Campgrounds
- Miami Whitewater Forest
- Franklin County Park
- Governor Bebb Preserve
- Brookville Lake
- Mounds State Rec Area - Brookville Lake
- Youth Tent Area
Fishing spots
Track Norman J. Dobell 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 Norman J. Dobell Lake Dam
Where does the data for Norman J. Dobell 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 Norman J. Dobell Lake Dam.