Suhre Lake Dam dam
Suhre Lake Dam
Located in Bartholomew, Indiana, the Suhre Lake Dam stands as a testament to engineering prowess, serving as a primary source of recreation for water resource and climate enthusiasts. Completed in 1949, this private-owned dam boasts an earth structure with a height of 13 feet and a hydraulic height of 11 feet, offering a picturesque setting for outdoor activities. With a normal storage capacity of 29 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 216 cubic feet per second, this dam provides essential water management functions while also creating a serene environment for visitors to enjoy.
Surrounded by a surface area of 13 acres and with a drainage area of 0.65 square miles, Suhre Lake Dam offers a tranquil escape for those seeking to engage with nature. While its hazard potential and condition assessment remain undetermined and not rated, respectively, the dam continues to stand as a vital recreational resource in the region. Despite not being regulated by the state, this dam plays a crucial role in enhancing the quality of life for residents and visitors alike, serving as a reminder of the importance of sustainable water resource management in the face of climate change challenges.
As water levels fluctuate and climate patterns shift, the Suhre Lake Dam remains a steadfast structure, providing a sanctuary for outdoor enthusiasts and serving as a symbol of resilience in the face of environmental uncertainties. With a rich history dating back to its completion over seven decades ago, this earth dam continues to offer opportunities for recreation and reflection, highlighting the interconnectedness of water resources and climate dynamics. As efforts to assess and manage the dam's condition evolve, the significance of this site as a recreational haven and a vital component of the local ecosystem becomes increasingly apparent, underscoring the need for sustainable stewardship of our natural resources in the midst of a changing world.
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 Suhre Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| East Fork White River At Columbus | 7,760 cfs | → |
| Haw Creek Near Clifford | 320 cfs | → |
| Flatrock River At Columbus | 2,000 cfs | → |
| Clifty Creek At Hartsville | 584 cfs | → |
| Driftwood River Near Edinburgh Ind | 5,910 cfs | → |
| Sugar Creek Near Edinburgh | 3,580 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Suhre Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Water Street 300-498, Columbus
- County Road 550 North Bartholomew County
- County Road North 325 West 4311, Bartholomew County
- North State Route 7 9340, Elizabethtown
- Tannehill Road Bartholomew County
- East 800 South 5449-5899, Columbus
Campgrounds
- Heflen Co Park
- Irwin City Park
- Camp Atterbury Military
- Happy Hollow’S Children Camp
- Johnson County Park
- Muscatatuck
Paddle runs
Track Suhre 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 Suhre Lake Dam
Where does the data for Suhre 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 Undetermined 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 Suhre Lake Dam.