Vernon Payne Lake Dam dam
Vernon Payne Lake Dam
Vernon Payne Lake Dam, located in Cutler, Indiana, stands as a crucial structure for water supply and recreational purposes. Constructed in 1962 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam spans 250 feet in length and reaches a height of 27 feet, with a hydraulic height of 29 feet. The dam holds a normal storage capacity of 54 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 3.2 acres, serving as a vital resource for the surrounding community and wildlife.
Despite its significance, the dam's condition assessment was rated as poor in 2010, with a hazard potential deemed low. With the last inspection conducted in June 2016, ongoing maintenance and improvements are necessary to ensure the dam's safety and effectiveness. The surrounding area, including an unnamed tributary of Wildcat Creek, relies on the proper functioning of Vernon Payne Lake Dam for water supply and flood control, highlighting the importance of continued monitoring and risk management measures to safeguard this essential infrastructure.
With a moderate risk assessment score of 3, it is imperative for the relevant regulatory agencies, including the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, to prioritize the maintenance and upkeep of Vernon Payne Lake Dam to mitigate potential hazards and ensure its long-term sustainability. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, staying informed and advocating for the protection of crucial structures like Vernon Payne Lake Dam is vital in safeguarding our environment and communities for generations to come.
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 Vernon Payne Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Wildcat Creek At Owasco | 107 cfs | → |
| Deer Creek Near Delphi | 71 cfs | → |
| South Fork Wildcat Creek Near Lafayette | 79 cfs | → |
| Tippecanoe River Near Delphi | 1,000 cfs | → |
| Wildcat Creek Near Lafayette | 209 cfs | → |
| Wabash River At Lafayette Ind | 2,970 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Vernon Payne Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- South 50 East 3250-3998, Bringhurst
- Old State Road 25 6392, Tippecanoe County
- Houston Road Tippecanoe County
- Us 24 8352, Cass County
- North River Road 1030-1118, West Lafayette
Track Vernon Payne 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 Vernon Payne Lake Dam
Where does the data for Vernon Payne 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 Low 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 Vernon Payne Lake Dam.