Yellowwood Lake Dam dam
Yellowwood Lake Dam
Yellowwood Lake Dam, located in Brown, Indiana, is a state-regulated structure constructed in 1939 by the USDA - Resettlement Administration. This earth dam serves primarily for recreation purposes on Yellowwood Lake, with a height of 41 feet and a length of 800 feet. The dam holds a maximum storage capacity of 3,678 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 138 acres, with a drainage area of 6.9 square miles, making it a crucial water resource for the region.
The dam's spillway, with a width of 190 feet, is uncontrolled, allowing for a maximum discharge of 17,494 cubic feet per second. Despite being deemed to have a high hazard potential, the dam's condition assessment remains fair as of the last inspection in June 2018. With a moderate risk rating, the dam's risk management measures and emergency action plan status are currently unspecified. Yellowwood Lake Dam stands as a significant structure for water resource and climate enthusiasts, offering both recreational opportunities and essential flood control functions for the area.
Overall, Yellowwood Lake Dam presents a fascinating blend of historical significance, recreational value, and vital water management infrastructure in the heart of Indiana. As a state-regulated earth dam with an impressive storage capacity and moderate risk assessment, the dam serves as a testament to the lasting impact of New Deal-era projects on water resources and climate resilience. Whether exploring its scenic surroundings or studying its hydraulic characteristics, Yellowwood Lake Dam is sure to captivate the interest of enthusiasts seeking to understand the intersection of water resources and climate dynamics 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 Yellowwood Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| North Fork Salt Creek At Nashville | 2,890 cfs | → |
| Driftwood River Near Edinburgh Ind | 9,520 cfs | → |
| East Fork White River At Columbus | 13,400 cfs | → |
| Sugar Creek Near Edinburgh | 4,340 cfs | → |
| White River Near Centerton | 9,200 cfs | → |
| Flatrock River At Columbus | 3,500 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Yellowwood Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Monroe County
- East Stipp Road Monroe County
- Bartholomew County
- County Road North 325 West 4311, Bartholomew County
- Tannehill Road Bartholomew County
- County Road 550 South 3427, Franklin
Campgrounds
- Horseman's Camp
- Yellowwood State Forest
- Brown County State Park
- Primitive Campground
- Paynetown State Rec Area - Monroe Lake
- B & D
Track Yellowwood 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 Yellowwood Lake Dam
Where does the data for Yellowwood 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 Yellowwood Lake Dam.