Upper Big Blue River Structure No. 7-A dam
Upper Big Blue River Structure No. 7-A
Upper Big Blue River Structure No. 7-A, located in Knightstown, Indiana, is a vital flood risk reduction infrastructure along Buck Creek. Designed by USDA NRCS and completed in 1976, this earth dam stands at 62 feet tall with a hydraulic height of 57 feet, providing critical protection to the surrounding area. With a storage capacity of 5060 acre-feet and a drainage area of 17.17 square miles, this structure plays a key role in managing water flow and reducing flood hazards.
The dam also serves recreational purposes, offering a surface area of 40 acres for outdoor activities. With a spillway width of 350 feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 27,200 cubic feet per second, Upper Big Blue River Structure No. 7-A is well-equipped to handle high water levels and mitigate potential risks. Despite its high hazard potential, the dam's condition assessment remains satisfactory, ensuring its continued effectiveness in safeguarding the community.
Maintained by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, this structure undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity and operational readiness. With its strategic location and impressive engineering features, Upper Big Blue River Structure No. 7-A stands as a testament to effective water resource management and climate resilience efforts in Henry County, Indiana.
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 Upper Big Blue River Structure No. 7-A -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar Creek At New Palestine | 67 cfs | → |
| Fall Creek Near Fortville | 119 cfs | → |
| White River At Anderson | 236 cfs | → |
| Whitewater River Near Alpine | 435 cfs | → |
| Whitewater River Near Economy | 1 cfs | → |
| White River At Raible Avenue At Anderson | 256 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Upper Big Blue River Structure No. 7-A.
Track Upper Big Blue River Structure No. 7-A 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 Upper Big Blue River Structure No. 7-A
Where does the data for Upper Big Blue River Structure No. 7-A 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 Upper Big Blue River Structure No. 7-A.