Miller Lake Dam dam
Miller Lake Dam
Miller Lake Dam in Spencer, Indiana, stands as a private recreational structure completed in 1970, serving as a picturesque spot for water resource and climate enthusiasts. The dam, with an earth type design, is 28 feet high and spans 300 feet across, creating a reservoir with a storage capacity of 75 acre-feet. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam is currently in poor condition as of its last inspection in October 2000.
Located in a serene setting with a surface area of 6.26 acres and a drainage area of 0.04 square miles, Miller Lake Dam provides a tranquil escape for visitors seeking outdoor recreation. While the dam does not fall under state jurisdiction for regulation, inspection, or permitting, its primary purpose remains for recreational use. Despite its age, the dam continues to be a popular destination for fishing, boating, and other water-based activities.
Although its condition assessment may raise concerns, Miller Lake Dam's historical significance and natural beauty make it a valuable asset for the local community and a must-see destination for water resource and climate enthusiasts. As efforts continue to maintain and improve the dam's structure, visitors can still enjoy a peaceful retreat surrounded by the scenic beauty of Spencer, 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 Miller Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Fork Panther Creek Near Whitesville | 19 cfs | → |
| Ohio River At Cannelton Dam At Cannelton | 66,800 cfs | → |
| Green River At Lock 2 At Calhoun | 830 cfs | → |
| Middle Fork Anderson River At Bristow | 48 cfs | → |
| Pigeon Creek Near Fort Branch | 305 cfs | → |
| Caney Creek Near Horse Branch | · | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Miller Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Lock Avenue Owensboro
- Co 290 South 8915, Spencer County
- Hamilton Ferry Road 8501, Daviess County
- Ohio River Scenic Byway 221-383, Newburgh
- North 300 East 15029, Lincoln City
- Water Street 300, Troy
Campgrounds
- Scales Lake Park
- Vastwood Co Park
- Vastwood Park
- Lincoln State Park
- Lake Lincoln Campground
- Buckhorn Primitive Campground/ Youth Tent Area
Track Miller 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 Miller Lake Dam
Where does the data for Miller 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 Miller Lake Dam.