Ralph Ketchum Dam dam
Ralph Ketchum Dam
Ralph Ketchum Dam, located in Owen County, Indiana, was completed in 1962 and is owned and operated by a private entity. The dam, designed by USDA NRCS, serves primarily for recreational purposes and stands at a height of 23 feet with a length of 465 feet. It has a storage capacity of 71 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 55 acre-feet. The dam is situated offstream on the TR White River and is categorized as an Earth dam.
Despite its age, Ralph Ketchum Dam has a low hazard potential and is currently rated as "Not Rated" in terms of its condition assessment. The last inspection of the dam took place in November 1978, with no reported issues. Although the dam does not fall under state regulation or inspection, it is located within the jurisdiction of the Louisville District of the US Army Corps of Engineers. The dam's emergency action plan status, risk assessment, and management measures are currently not documented.
With its picturesque location and recreational focus, Ralph Ketchum Dam offers a serene setting for water resource and climate enthusiasts to enjoy. The dam's modest size and low hazard potential make it a relatively safe structure for visitors to explore and appreciate. As a private-owned facility, the dam may benefit from increased monitoring and maintenance to ensure its continued safety and functionality for both recreational users 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 Ralph Ketchum Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mill Creek Near Cataract | 2,480 cfs | → |
| Eel River At Bowling Green | 3,610 cfs | → |
| White River Near Centerton | 9,200 cfs | → |
| White River At Newberry | 23,000 cfs | → |
| North Fork Salt Creek At Nashville | 2,890 cfs | → |
| White Lick Creek At Mooresville | 1,170 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Ralph Ketchum Dam.
Boat launches
- Brann Road Owen County
- Ten High Drive Owen County
- Lake Shore Drive Owen County
- East Stipp Road Monroe County
- 625 North Greene County
- I 70 Clay County
Campgrounds
Track Ralph Ketchum 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 Ralph Ketchum Dam
Where does the data for Ralph Ketchum 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 Ralph Ketchum Dam.