Hart Lake Dam dam
Hart Lake Dam
Hart Lake Dam, located in Morgan County, Indiana, is a local government-owned structure built in 1950 for recreational purposes. The earth dam, with a height of 34 feet and a length of 450 feet, holds back the waters of the Dry Fork of Sycamore Creek, creating a surface area of 21.14 acres and a storage capacity of 404 acre-feet. Despite its fair condition assessment and high hazard potential, the dam has a moderate risk level and is regulated by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
The dam features a valve outlet gate and an uncontrolled spillway, with a maximum discharge capacity of 570 cubic feet per second. The surrounding area has a drainage area of 1.42 square miles, providing valuable water resources for the region. The dam's last inspection in 2012 revealed a need for regular maintenance and monitoring to ensure its continued safety and effectiveness in managing water levels and mitigating flood risks. With its scenic location and recreational opportunities, Hart Lake Dam serves as both a vital infrastructure asset and a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and climate advocates alike.
As climate change continues to impact water resources and weather patterns, the importance of properly maintaining and managing dams like Hart Lake Dam becomes increasingly crucial. By staying informed about the dam's condition, regulatory oversight, and risk management measures, water resource and climate enthusiasts can play a role in promoting sustainable practices and resilience in the face of evolving environmental challenges.
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 Hart Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| White Lick Creek At Mooresville | 1,880 cfs | → |
| White River Near Centerton | 10,600 cfs | → |
| Little Buck Creek Near Indianapolis | 11 cfs | → |
| White R. At Stout Gen. Stn. At Indianapolis | 5,160 cfs | → |
| Eagle Creek At Indianapolis | 2,200 cfs | → |
| White River At Indianapolis | 4,040 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Hart Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Henderson Ford Boat Ramp
- North White River Parkway East Drive 2483, Riverside
- Small Mouth Run Trail Hendricks County
- Lake Shore Drive Owen County
- Brann Road Owen County
- Ten High Drive Owen County
Track Hart 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 Hart Lake Dam
Where does the data for Hart 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 Hart Lake Dam.