Sugar Hills Lake Dam dam
Sugar Hills Lake Dam
Sugar Hills Lake Dam in Hancock, Indiana, is a privately-owned structure built in 1972 primarily for recreational purposes. The dam, classified as an Earth type with a stone core, stands at a height of 15 feet and has a hydraulic height of 14 feet. It spans 300 feet in length and holds a maximum storage capacity of 764 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 308 acre-feet. The dam overlooks the scenic New Ditch river and covers a surface area of 77.1 acres within a drainage area of 2.84 square miles.
Despite its recreational allure, Sugar Hills Lake Dam is classified as having a high hazard potential and poor condition assessment. The last inspection in October 2020 raised concerns about its structural integrity, with a moderate risk rating assigned. The dam's spillway, with a width of 225 feet, is uncontrolled, posing a potential risk in case of overflow. While the dam lacks outlet gates, it remains under state regulation and inspection, with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources overseeing its maintenance and enforcement.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Sugar Hills Lake Dam presents both a recreational haven and a cautionary tale. Its picturesque setting and storied history since 1972 may attract visitors, but its high hazard potential and poor condition assessment serve as reminders of the importance of proper dam maintenance and monitoring. As climate change impacts water infrastructure across the globe, the state-regulated Sugar Hills Lake Dam stands as a symbol of the ongoing challenges in balancing human enjoyment with environmental safety in our water resource management efforts.
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 Sugar Hills Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Fall Creek Near Fortville | 725 cfs | → |
| Sugar Creek At New Palestine | 586 cfs | → |
| Pleasant Rn At Arlington Ave At Indpls | 44 cfs | → |
| Fall Creek At Millersville | 1,770 cfs | → |
| Stony Creek Near Noblesville | 147 cfs | → |
| White River Near Nora | 3,300 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sugar Hills Lake Dam.
Track Sugar Hills 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 Sugar Hills Lake Dam
Where does the data for Sugar Hills 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 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 Sugar Hills Lake Dam.