Lake Noel Dam dam
Lake Noel Dam
Lake Noel Dam in Spencer, Indiana, stands as a vital water resource for both recreational activities and environmental conservation. Built in 1972 by the renowned Midwest Engineers, this earth dam is situated on an unnamed tributary of Crooked Creek, offering a storage capacity of 360-acre feet and a surface area of 20 acres. With a dam height of 35 feet and a hydraulic height of 33 feet, the structure plays a crucial role in regulating water flow and mitigating flood risks in the region.
Maintaining a fair condition assessment and a moderate hazard potential, Lake Noel Dam is subject to regular inspections and enforcement by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. The dam's uncontrolled spillway, with a width of 7 feet, helps manage excess water levels during heavy rainfall events. Despite its high hazard potential, the dam's risk management measures and emergency action plan ensure public safety and environmental protection. With its primary purpose being recreation, the dam serves as a picturesque destination for water enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.
As a key feature in the Louisville District, Lake Noel Dam is a testament to the intersection of human ingenuity and environmental stewardship. With its rich history and ongoing commitment to safety and conservation, the dam continues to be a valuable asset in the management of water resources and the preservation of natural habitats in the region.
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 Lake Noel Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Middle Fork Anderson River At Bristow | 177 cfs | → |
| Ohio River At Cannelton Dam At Cannelton | 66,900 cfs | → |
| Patoka River At Jasper | 567 cfs | → |
| Patoka River At Winslow | 477 cfs | → |
| Pigeon Creek Near Fort Branch | 81 cfs | → |
| White River Above Petersburg | 1,500 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Noel Dam.
Boat launches
- North 300 East 15029, Lincoln City
- East 14th Street 961-999, Ferdinand
- Water Street 300, Troy
- South 600 East 7985, Ferdinand
- North 1st Street, Cannelton
- Hawesville
Campgrounds
- Buckhorn Primitive Campground/ Youth Tent Area
- Lake Lincoln Campground
- Gobbler's Run Non-Electric Campground
- Lincoln State Park
- Ferdinand State Forest
- Dubois County Park
Paddle runs
- Carnes Mill Site To 7.65 Miles Above Confluece With Ohio River At Confluence With Turkey Creek
- City Limits Of English, In To Carnes Mill Site In Ne1/4ne1/4 Of Sec 13, T3s, R1w
- State Road 56 Bridge To Forest Purchase Boundary At Roland, In
- State Road 337 Bridge To State Road 56 Bridge At Prospect, In
- Junction Of North/South Forks Of Lost River To State Road 337 Bridge, Approx 4 Miles Southeast Of Orleans, In
Track Lake Noel 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 Lake Noel Dam
Where does the data for Lake Noel 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 Lake Noel Dam.