Lake Holly Dam Dam
Lake Holly Dam
Lake Holly Dam, located in Spencer, Indiana, is a privately owned structure built in 1972 primarily for recreational purposes. The dam, with a height of 35 feet and a length of 575 feet, creates a reservoir with a storage capacity of 215 acre-feet. Situated on an unnamed tributary of Crooked Creek, the dam has a spillway width of 24 feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 834 cubic feet per second, making it an essential component for flood control in the area.
Despite being classified as having a "High" hazard potential, the dam is currently in fair condition as of the last assessment in 2004. Regular inspections are conducted every two years to ensure the structural integrity and safety of the dam. The risk assessment for Lake Holly Dam indicates a moderate risk level, with appropriate risk management measures in place to mitigate potential hazards. While the dam does not have outlet gates, its uncontrolled spillway design allows for the controlled release of excess water during periods of high inflow, safeguarding downstream areas from flooding.
Lake Holly Dam serves as a vital recreational and flood control asset in the region, providing not only water storage for various activities but also protection against potential flooding events. With its strategic location and design features, the dam continues to play a crucial role in water resource management and climate resilience efforts in Spencer, Indiana.
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 Lake Holly Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Middle Fork Anderson River At Bristow | 56 cfs | → |
| Ohio River At Cannelton Dam At Cannelton | 43,000 cfs | → |
| Patoka River At Jasper | 321 cfs | → |
| Patoka River At Winslow | 689 cfs | → |
| Pigeon Creek Near Fort Branch | 151 cfs | → |
| South Fork Panther Creek Near Whitesville | 195 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Holly Dam.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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River runs
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About Lake Holly Dam
Where does the data for Lake Holly 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 below 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.
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.