Bittner Lake Dam dam
Bittner Lake Dam
Bittner Lake Dam in Vanderburgh, Indiana, stands as a vital structure for water resource and climate enthusiasts. Completed in 1956, this private-owned earth dam serves primarily for recreational purposes, offering a serene landscape with a surface area of 4.97 acres. The dam boasts a height of 24 feet and a length of 350 feet, holding a maximum storage capacity of 76 acre-feet. However, despite its significance in providing leisure activities, the dam's condition assessment in 2002 revealed poor maintenance and a high hazard potential, calling for immediate attention.
Situated along an unnamed tributary Maidlow Ditch, Bittner Lake Dam falls under the regulatory jurisdiction of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), ensuring state-permitting, inspection, and enforcement. The dam's location in S14, T5S, R11W, encourages visitors to appreciate its beauty while also understanding the risks associated with its aging infrastructure. With a high risk assessment of 2 and a history of poor condition, it is essential for stakeholders to prioritize maintenance and risk management measures to prevent potential disasters and ensure the sustainability of this recreational gem for future generations.
While Bittner Lake Dam offers a picturesque setting for outdoor enthusiasts, its deteriorating condition and high hazard potential demand immediate action. With no spillway and outdated inspection records dating back to 2002, the dam presents a pressing need for updated emergency action plans and risk assessments to mitigate potential threats. As water resource and climate enthusiasts continue to appreciate the beauty of Bittner Lake Dam, it is crucial for authorities and stakeholders to prioritize its maintenance and ensure the safety of both visitors and the surrounding environment.
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 Bittner Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Big Creek Near Wadesville | 12 cfs | → |
| Pigeon Creek Near Fort Branch | 3 cfs | → |
| Wabash River At New Harmony | 49,300 cfs | → |
| Patoka River Near Princeton | 300 cfs | → |
| Wabash River At Mt. Carmel | 41,500 cfs | → |
| Bonpas Creek At Browns | 14 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bittner Lake Dam.
Track Bittner 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 Bittner Lake Dam
Where does the data for Bittner 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 Bittner Lake Dam.