Hamilton & Ridlen Lake Dam dam
Hamilton & Ridlen Lake Dam
Hamilton & Ridlen Lake Dam, located in Scott County, Indiana, serves as a vital water resource for the area. Built in 1952 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at a height of 22.4 feet and has a storage capacity of 143 acre-feet. The dam primarily serves the purpose of recreation, offering a serene setting for visitors to enjoy water-based activities.
Despite its recreational significance, the dam is currently in poor condition, with a significant hazard potential. A recent inspection in 2019 revealed the need for improvements to ensure the safety and longevity of the structure. The dam is state-regulated and inspected periodically to address any concerns and maintain compliance with regulatory standards. With a high risk assessment rating, it is crucial for stakeholders to prioritize necessary repairs and risk management measures to mitigate potential hazards.
As a key feature of the Big Ox Creek watershed, Hamilton & Ridlen Lake Dam plays a critical role in water management and conservation efforts in the region. Climate enthusiasts and water resource advocates can monitor the dam's condition and support initiatives aimed at preserving this important infrastructure for future generations.
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 Hamilton & Ridlen Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Muscatatuck River Near Deputy | 2,110 cfs | → |
| West Fork Blue River At Salem | 220 cfs | → |
| East Fork White River At Seymour Ind | 6,250 cfs | → |
| Silver Creek Near Sellersburg | 3,490 cfs | → |
| Vernon Fork Muscatatuck River At Vernon | 2,320 cfs | → |
| Blue River At Fredericksburg | 13,200 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Hamilton & Ridlen Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- North Elk Creek Road 3477-3501, Scottsburg
- West Blake Road 15976, Deputy
- County Road 775 South, Vallonia
- East Delaney Millport Road 76, Vallonia
- Jackson County
- Boat Ramp Access Jackson County
Campgrounds
- Hardy Lake State Rec Area
- Campground Gatehouse
- Clark State Forest
- Delaney Creek Park
- Deam Lake Campground
- Deam Lake State Rec Area
Paddle runs
- Junction Of North/South Forks Of Lost River To State Road 337 Bridge, Approx 4 Miles Southeast Of Orleans, In
- State Road 337 Bridge To State Road 56 Bridge At Prospect, In
- City Limits Of English, In To Carnes Mill Site In Ne1/4ne1/4 Of Sec 13, T3s, R1w
- State Road 56 Bridge To Forest Purchase Boundary At Roland, In
- Carnes Mill Site To 7.65 Miles Above Confluece With Ohio River At Confluence With Turkey Creek
Track Hamilton & Ridlen 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 Hamilton & Ridlen Lake Dam
Where does the data for Hamilton & Ridlen 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 Significant 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 Hamilton & Ridlen Lake Dam.