C.J. Rust Lake Dam dam
C.J. Rust Lake Dam
C.J. Rust Lake Dam in Indiana, completed in 1974, stands as a significant earth dam with a hydraulic height of 62 feet and a structural height of 62 feet. Serving primarily for recreation, this dam boasts a normal storage capacity of 628 acre-feet and a maximum storage of 844 acre-feet. Located on an unnamed tributary of Little Salt Creek in Jackson County, this dam covers a surface area of 35.1 acres and has a drainage area of 0.31 square miles.
Managed by a private entity, C.J. Rust Lake Dam is regulated by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, with permitting, inspection, and enforcement activities conducted by the state agency. The dam's hazard potential is categorized as significant, with a fair condition assessment as of 2013. Despite the lack of a spillway, the dam's maximum discharge capacity reaches 979 cubic feet per second, emphasizing the importance of its risk management measures. With a congressman representing the area as Trey Hollingsworth (R), the dam's location in Kurtz, Indiana, adds to its appeal for water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in its impact on the surrounding environment and community.
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 C.J. Rust Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| East Fork White River At Seymour Ind | 2,630 cfs | → |
| North Fork Salt Creek At Nashville | 123 cfs | → |
| East Fork White River At Columbus | 1,480 cfs | → |
| Flatrock River At Columbus | 524 cfs | → |
| East Fork White River Near Bedford | 4,200 cfs | → |
| Haw Creek Near Clifford | 22 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near C.J. Rust Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Boat Ramp Access Jackson County
- Indiana 258 5748, Seymour
- Bartholomew County
- North County Road 760 East 7248, Seymour
- Jackson County
- East Delaney Millport Road 76, Vallonia
Campgrounds
- Jackson - Washington State Forest
- Hickory Ridge Horse Camp
- Starve Hollow State Rec Area
- Happy Hollow’S Children Camp
- Stone Creek Campground & Trails
- Blackwell Horsecamp
Paddle runs
- Junction Of North/South Forks Of Lost River To State Road 337 Bridge, Approx 4 Miles Southeast Of Orleans, In
- State Road 337 Bridge To State Road 56 Bridge At Prospect, In
- State Road 56 Bridge To Forest Purchase Boundary At Roland, In
- City Limits Of English, In To Carnes Mill Site In Ne1/4ne1/4 Of Sec 13, T3s, R1w
Track C.J. Rust 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 C.J. Rust Lake Dam
Where does the data for C.J. Rust 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 C.J. Rust Lake Dam.