Bell Conservation Lake dam
Bell Conservation Lake
Bell Conservation Lake, located in Vanderburgh County, Indiana, is a privately-owned dam with a primary purpose that is not specified in the data. Completed in 1939, this earth dam stands at a height of 27 feet and spans a length of 650 feet, with a storage capacity of 101 acre-feet. The lake covers a surface area of 9.18 acres and is fed by an unnamed tributary of Bluegrass Creek, with a drainage area of 0.1 square miles.
Despite its low hazard potential, Bell Conservation Lake has been assessed to be in poor condition as of February 2014, raising concerns about its ability to withstand potential risks. The dam lacks a spillway, outlet gates, and locks, indicating a limited capacity for managing water levels during high discharge events. The risk assessment for the dam has been classified as high, highlighting the need for enhanced risk management measures to ensure the safety and stability of the structure.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Bell Conservation Lake presents an intriguing case study in dam infrastructure management and risk assessment. As a privately-owned facility regulated by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, the lake serves as a reminder of the importance of regular inspections and maintenance to prevent potential hazards. With its historical significance and environmental impact on the surrounding area, Bell Conservation Lake offers a unique opportunity for researchers and policymakers to explore the intersection of water conservation, climate resilience, and dam safety.
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 Bell Conservation Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Pigeon Creek Near Fort Branch | 3 cfs | → |
| Big Creek Near Wadesville | 12 cfs | → |
| Patoka River Near Princeton | 300 cfs | → |
| Patoka River At Winslow | 274 cfs | → |
| Wabash River At Mt. Carmel | 41,500 cfs | → |
| Wabash River At New Harmony | 49,300 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bell Conservation Lake.
Boat launches
- New Harmony Road 11699, Chandler
- Saint John Road, Elberfeld
- Euler Road, Chandler
- Ohio River Scenic Byway 221-383, Newburgh
- Angel Mounds Boat Ramp
Campgrounds
- Lynnville Park
- Scales Lake Park
- Pike State Forest
- Camping At Baell Woods
- Prides Creek Co Park
- Lincoln State Park
Track Bell Conservation Lake 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 Bell Conservation Lake
Where does the data for Bell Conservation Lake 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 Bell Conservation Lake.