Yarling Lake Dam dam
Yarling Lake Dam
Yarling Lake Dam, also known as Parker Lake Dam, is a private-owned structure located in Brown, Indiana. Completed in 1950, this earth dam serves primarily for recreational purposes, offering a surface area of 3.6 acres for outdoor activities. Situated on an unnamed tributary of North Fork Salt Creek, the dam stands at a height of 29 feet and has a length of 365 feet, providing a maximum storage capacity of 41 acre-feet.
Despite its recreational appeal, Yarling Lake Dam poses a high hazard potential with a poor condition assessment. Inspected in July 2020, the dam's maintenance and safety measures are deemed inadequate, warranting a closer examination of its structural integrity. With a moderate risk assessment rating of 3, there is a pressing need for improved risk management measures to ensure the safety of the surrounding community and environment.
As a state-regulated dam under the jurisdiction of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), Yarling Lake Dam faces ongoing challenges in maintaining its safety standards. With its uncontrolled spillway and limited emergency preparedness measures, stakeholders must prioritize the dam's rehabilitation to mitigate potential risks and safeguard the vital water resources it holds. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, the fate of Yarling Lake Dam serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of proactive dam management in the face of changing environmental conditions.
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 Yarling Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| North Fork Salt Creek At Nashville | 101 cfs | → |
| Sugar Creek Near Edinburgh | 295 cfs | → |
| Driftwood River Near Edinburgh Ind | 995 cfs | → |
| Youngs Creek Near Edinburgh Ind | 75 cfs | → |
| Flatrock River At Columbus | 501 cfs | → |
| White River Near Centerton | 1,830 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Yarling Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- County Road 550 South 3427, Franklin
- South Mauxferry Road Johnson County
- River Road Johnson County
- Us 31 Edinburgh
- Tannehill Road Bartholomew County
Campgrounds
- Johnson County Park
- Camp Atterbury Military
- Mason Ridge - Morgan Monroe State Forest
- Heflen Co Park
- Irwin City Park
- Brown County State Park
Paddle runs
Track Yarling 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 Yarling Lake Dam
Where does the data for Yarling 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 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 Yarling Lake Dam.