Lincoln Lake Dam dam
Lincoln Lake Dam
Located in Spencer, Indiana, the Lincoln Lake Dam stands as a crucial structure regulating the flow of an unnamed tributary to Buckhorn Creek. Built in 1930, this earth dam stands at a height of 34 feet and spans 986 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 958 acre-feet and a surface area of 57.76 acres. Despite its fair condition assessment in 2018, the dam poses a high hazard potential, prompting the state regulatory agency, IDNR, to conduct regular inspections, with the last one taking place in October 2018.
The dam's primary purpose and associated structures are not specified, but its critical role in water resource management in the region is evident. With a spillway type categorized as uncontrolled, the dam's maximum discharge capacity is recorded at 2066 cubic feet per second. The risk assessment for Lincoln Lake Dam indicates a moderate level of risk, signaling the need for ongoing risk management measures to ensure the safety and integrity of the structure. With Congressman Larry Bucshon representing the area, the dam's importance in flood control and water supply for the community cannot be understated.
As climate change continues to impact water resources and infrastructure, the maintenance and monitoring of dams like Lincoln Lake Dam become increasingly vital. With its location in a high-hazard area and the potential risks associated with its condition, the state's commitment to inspection, enforcement, and emergency preparedness for this dam is crucial. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, staying informed and advocating for the protection and sustainable management of structures like Lincoln Lake Dam is essential for ensuring the resilience of our water systems 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 Lincoln Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Middle Fork Anderson River At Bristow | 177 cfs | → |
| Ohio River At Cannelton Dam At Cannelton | 66,900 cfs | → |
| Patoka River At Jasper | 567 cfs | → |
| Patoka River At Winslow | 477 cfs | → |
| Pigeon Creek Near Fort Branch | 81 cfs | → |
| White River At Petersburg | 20,900 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lincoln Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- North 300 East 15029, Lincoln City
- East 14th Street 961-999, Ferdinand
- Water Street 300, Troy
- South 600 East 7985, Ferdinand
- North 1st Street, Cannelton
- Hawesville
Campgrounds
- Lincoln State Park
- Lake Lincoln Campground
- Buckhorn Primitive Campground/ Youth Tent Area
- Gobbler's Run Non-Electric Campground
- Scales Lake Park
- Ferdinand State Forest
Paddle runs
- Carnes Mill Site To 7.65 Miles Above Confluece With Ohio River At Confluence With Turkey Creek
- 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
- State Road 337 Bridge To State Road 56 Bridge At Prospect, In
- Junction Of North/South Forks Of Lost River To State Road 337 Bridge, Approx 4 Miles Southeast Of Orleans, In
Track Lincoln 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 Lincoln Lake Dam
Where does the data for Lincoln 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 Lincoln Lake Dam.