Sylvan Lake Dam dam
Sylvan Lake Dam
Sylvan Lake Dam in Noble, Indiana, stands as a testament to the rich history of water resource management in the region. Completed in 1839, this earth dam serves primarily for recreation, with a focus on providing a serene and picturesque setting for visitors to enjoy. The dam stands at a height of 30 feet and spans a length of 2730 feet, creating a reservoir with a maximum storage capacity of 7400 acre-feet.
Located on an unnamed tributary of the North Branch, the dam is under the regulatory oversight of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. With a controlled spillway and Tainter outlet gates, the dam has been assessed to have a hazard potential of high but is currently in fair condition. Despite its age, regular inspections are conducted to ensure its structural integrity and the safety of the surrounding community. The risk assessment for the dam indicates a very high risk level, emphasizing the importance of continued monitoring and maintenance to mitigate potential hazards.
Sylvan Lake Dam serves as a vital component of the water infrastructure in the area, providing not only recreational opportunities but also essential flood control measures. As climate change continues to impact water resources, the management and upkeep of dams like Sylvan Lake Dam become increasingly crucial. With a rich history and a significant role in the local ecosystem, Sylvan Lake Dam stands as a reminder of the importance of sustainable water resource management practices in the face of a changing climate.
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 Sylvan Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Nb Elkhart River At Cosperville | 151 cfs | → |
| Pigeon Creek Nr Angola | 89 cfs | → |
| Cedar Creek At 18th Street At Auburn | 43 cfs | → |
| Pigeon River Near Scott | 295 cfs | → |
| Tippecanoe River At North Webster | 24 cfs | → |
| Fish Creek At Hamilton | 20 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sylvan Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- North 125 West 9707-9787, Rome City
- Lake Street 432-454, Kendallville
- 4 Noble County
- South Lakeshore Drive 501-699, Kimmell
- Indiana 5 716-844, Cromwell
- South 850 West 2727, Kimmell
Campgrounds
- Bixler Lake City Campground
- Hidden Diamonds City Park
- Chain Olakes State Park
- Pigeon River State Fish And Wildlife Area
- Harper Lake Campsite
- Cade Lake County Park
Fishing spots
Track Sylvan 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 Sylvan Lake Dam
Where does the data for Sylvan 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 Sylvan Lake Dam.