Hardwood Lake Dam dam
Hardwood Lake Dam
Hardwood Lake Dam is a privately owned structure located in Ripley, Indiana, serving primarily for recreation purposes. Built in 1974 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at a height of 32 feet, with a length of 285 feet, and a storage capacity of 133 acre-feet. Situated on an unnamed tributary of the Indian Kentuck Creek, the dam's low hazard potential and fair condition assessment make it a relatively safe structure according to the 2016 inspection report.
Despite its recreational focus, Hardwood Lake Dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources and climate-related risks in the area. With a maximum discharge capacity of 830 cubic feet per second, the dam helps regulate water flow and reduce flood risks for nearby communities. The dam's location in a high-risk area underscores the importance of ongoing monitoring and maintenance to ensure its continued effectiveness in mitigating potential hazards and protecting the environment.
As a key component of water resource management in Ripley County, Indiana, Hardwood Lake Dam reflects the collaborative efforts of various agencies such as the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. While the dam's primary purpose remains recreational, its role in ensuring water security and climate resilience highlights the interconnected nature of infrastructure development and environmental stewardship. By staying informed and engaged with the ongoing maintenance and risk assessment of Hardwood Lake Dam, water resource and climate enthusiasts can contribute to sustainable practices and community safety in the region.
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 Hardwood Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Indian-Kentuck Creek Nr Canaan | 113 cfs | → |
| Brush Creek Near Nebraska | 38 cfs | → |
| Vernon Fork Muscatatuck River At Vernon | 2,320 cfs | → |
| Ohio River At Markland Dam Near Warsaw | 68,900 cfs | → |
| Muscatatuck River Near Deputy | 2,110 cfs | → |
| Woolper Creek At Woolper Road Near Burlington | 54 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Hardwood Lake Dam.
Track Hardwood 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 Hardwood Lake Dam
Where does the data for Hardwood 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 Hardwood Lake Dam.