Lake Gibson Dam dam
Lake Gibson Dam
Lake Gibson Dam, located in Gibson, Indiana, is a privately owned structure that serves as a conservation dam along an unnamed tributary of Indian Creek. Constructed in 1933, this earth dam stands at a height of 27 feet and spans 600 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 99 acre-feet. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam's condition assessment is marked as poor, highlighting the need for regular inspections and maintenance.
The dam, managed by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, is regulated and permitted by the state, ensuring compliance with safety standards and inspection protocols. While the dam does not feature a spillway, its drainage area covers 0.09 square miles, with a surface area of 9.06 acres. The risk assessment for Lake Gibson Dam rates it as high (2), emphasizing the importance of implementing appropriate risk management measures to mitigate potential hazards and ensure the safety of surrounding communities and ecosystems.
With the absence of outlet gates and locks, Lake Gibson Dam presents both challenges and opportunities for enhancing its safety and functionality. As climate change continues to impact water resources and infrastructure, the dam's resilience and adaptability will be crucial in safeguarding against extreme weather events and ensuring sustainable water management practices for the future. By prioritizing maintenance, monitoring, and risk mitigation strategies, Lake Gibson Dam can continue to fulfill its vital role in water conservation and flood control efforts 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 Gibson Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Patoka River Near Princeton | 1,010 cfs | → |
| Pigeon Creek Near Fort Branch | 305 cfs | → |
| Wabash River At Mt. Carmel | 32,100 cfs | → |
| White River At Petersburg | 18,800 cfs | → |
| Patoka River At Winslow | 390 cfs | → |
| White River Above Petersburg | 1,500 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Gibson Dam.
Boat launches
- Pigeon Pit 1157-1163, Winslow
- New Harmony Road 11699, Chandler
- Saint John Road, Elberfeld
- Euler Road, Chandler
- I 64 White County
Campgrounds
- Camping At Baell Woods
- Lynnville Park
- Prides Creek Co Park
- Pike State Forest
- Lincoln Trail
- Kimmell City Park
Track Lake Gibson 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 Gibson Dam
Where does the data for Lake Gibson 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 Lake Gibson Dam.