Goshen Pond Dam dam
Goshen Pond Dam
Goshen Pond Dam, located in Elkhart, Indiana, along the Elkhart River, was completed in 1868 and serves as a vital recreational area with a primary purpose of providing recreational activities for the local community. This earth dam stands at a height of 48 feet and has a hydraulic height of 16 feet, with a length of 800 feet and a storage capacity of 3100 acre-feet. The dam's spillway, which is uncontrolled, has a width of 155 feet to handle a maximum discharge of 6920 cubic feet per second.
Even though Goshen Pond Dam is regulated by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and undergoes regular inspections, it has been classified with a high hazard potential and fair condition assessment. The dam's emergency action plan and risk assessment are in place to manage any potential risks, with a moderate risk level assigned to the structure. Despite its age, the dam continues to provide valuable recreational opportunities while maintaining a critical role in water resource management and flood control along the Elkhart River.
Its location in a picturesque setting and historical significance as one of Indiana's oldest dams make Goshen Pond Dam a cherished landmark for both water resource and climate enthusiasts. As efforts continue to ensure the safety and integrity of the dam, it remains a symbol of the intersection between human ingenuity and the natural environment, showcasing the importance of sustainable water management practices in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 Goshen Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Elkhart River At Goshen | 555 cfs | → |
| St. Joseph River At Elkhart | 3,030 cfs | → |
| Tippecanoe River At Oswego | 87 cfs | → |
| St. Joseph River At Mottville | 1,820 cfs | → |
| Tippecanoe River At North Webster | 23 cfs | → |
| Pigeon River Near Scott | 298 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Goshen Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Millrace Canal Trail, Goshen
- West Plymouth Avenue Goshen
- County Road 142 Elkhart County
- Lincoln Highway 68101-68153, Goshen
- Mcdonald Street 1098-1198, Elkhart
- Front Street, Syracuse
Campgrounds
- Elkhart County Fairgrounds
- Elkhart Co. / Middlebury Koa Holiday
- Harper Lake Campsite
- Wood Lake Scout Reservation
- Pike Lake County Campground
- Kosciusko County Fairgrounds
Fishing spots
Track Goshen Pond 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 Goshen Pond Dam
Where does the data for Goshen Pond 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 Goshen Pond Dam.