Pine Lake Dam dam
Pine Lake Dam
Pine Lake Dam, also known as Westport Lake and Sand Lake, is a privately owned structure located in Decatur, Indiana. Completed in 1958, this earth dam stands at a height of 21 feet and serves primarily as a water supply source for the surrounding area. With a normal storage capacity of 43 acre-feet and a maximum storage of 65 acre-feet, Pine Lake Dam covers a surface area of 5 acres and drains a 0.2 square mile watershed.
Despite its low hazard potential, Pine Lake Dam is considered to be in poor condition, highlighting the need for maintenance and improvements. The dam lacks a spillway and outlet gates, presenting potential risks in the event of heavy rainfall or high water levels. The dam has been inspected infrequently, with the last assessment occurring in July 2016, underscoring the importance of regular monitoring and upkeep to ensure the safety and functionality of the structure.
As a key component of the local water supply infrastructure, Pine Lake Dam plays a crucial role in supporting both recreational activities and water distribution in the region. With a risk assessment rating of 2 (high), there is a pressing need for proactive risk management measures to be implemented to safeguard the surrounding community and environment. Despite its current challenges, Pine Lake Dam remains a vital resource for the area, emphasizing the importance of its maintenance and continued operation for future generations.
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 Pine Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Brush Creek Near Nebraska | 38 cfs | → |
| Clifty Creek At Hartsville | 584 cfs | → |
| Vernon Fork Muscatatuck River At Vernon | 2,320 cfs | → |
| Haw Creek Near Clifford | 320 cfs | → |
| Flatrock River At St. Paul | 2,150 cfs | → |
| East Fork White River At Columbus | 7,760 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Pine Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- North State Route 7 9340, Elizabethtown
- L Road Ripley County
- East 800 South 5449-5899, Columbus
- Indiana 3 3585, North Vernon
- Water Street 300-498, Columbus
- County Road 550 North Bartholomew County
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Track Pine 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 Pine Lake Dam
Where does the data for Pine 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 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 Pine Lake Dam.