Kickapoo Lake Dam dam
Kickapoo Lake Dam
Kickapoo Lake Dam, also known as Lake Kickapoo Dam, is a state-owned structure located in Sullivan, Indiana. Built in 1969 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at a height of 47 feet and serves the primary purpose of flood risk reduction along the Big Branch river. With a storage capacity of 7,538 acre-feet and a surface area of 378 acres, Kickapoo Lake Dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the area.
Despite its important function, Kickapoo Lake Dam is currently assessed to be in poor condition, with a significant hazard potential. The last inspection in June 2020 revealed the dam's deteriorating state, highlighting the need for regular maintenance and potential risk management measures. The dam lacks spillways and outlet gates, further emphasizing the importance of proactive monitoring and upkeep to ensure its structural integrity and effectiveness in flood control.
Given its high risk assessment and poor condition, Kickapoo Lake Dam presents a pressing concern for water resource and climate enthusiasts. With its location in a populated area and the potential for significant consequences in the event of failure, there is a need for increased attention and investment in the maintenance and rehabilitation of this crucial infrastructure to safeguard the surrounding communities and water resources.
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 Kickapoo Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Busseron Creek Near Carlisle | 1,810 cfs | → |
| Eel River At Bowling Green | 2,600 cfs | → |
| Wabash River At Riverton Ind | 16,100 cfs | → |
| White River At Newberry | 28,900 cfs | → |
| Wabash River At Terre Haute | 11,200 cfs | → |
| Mill Creek Near Cataract | 1,800 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Kickapoo Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- 625 North Greene County
- North Co Road 300 East, Sullivan
- County Road 450 East 871-1999, Sullivan
- Sullivan County
Campgrounds
- Sullivan County Park
- Sunset City Park
- Res 26 - Greene - Sullivan State Forest
- Greene - Sullivan State Forest
- Fowler County Park
- Hawthorne County Park
Track Kickapoo 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 Kickapoo Lake Dam
Where does the data for Kickapoo 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 Kickapoo Lake Dam.