Lake Dalecarlia Dam (West) dam
Lake Dalecarlia Dam (West)
Lake Dalecarlia Dam (West) in Indiana is a privately owned dam that serves the primary purpose of recreation. Built in 1929, this earth dam stands at a height of 13 feet and stretches 350 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 2331 acre-feet and a surface area of 162.16 acres. Located on Cedar Creek in Lake County, Indiana, this dam is regulated and inspected by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
Despite its age, Lake Dalecarlia Dam has a high hazard potential and is in poor condition according to a 2006 assessment. The dam has a high risk level, prompting a biennial inspection frequency. With no spillway and no outlet gates, the dam's emergency action plan and risk management measures are unclear. The dam's risk assessment and potential impact on the surrounding area highlight the importance of continued monitoring and maintenance to ensure the safety of the community and environment.
As an essential part of the local water resource infrastructure, Lake Dalecarlia Dam (West) plays a crucial role in providing recreational opportunities and regulating water flow in the region. Its historical significance and the potential risks associated with its condition underscore the need for ongoing assessment, maintenance, and emergency preparedness to safeguard the dam and surrounding areas from potential hazards and ensure the sustainable management of this vital water resource.
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 Lake Dalecarlia Dam (West) -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Kankakee River At Shelby | 1,980 cfs | → |
| Hart Ditch At Dyer | 10 cfs | → |
| Deep River At Lake George Outlet At Hobart | 45 cfs | → |
| Deer Creek Near Chicago Heights | 8 cfs | → |
| Hart Ditch At Munster | 30 cfs | → |
| Kankakee River At Momence | 2,600 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Dalecarlia Dam (West).
Boat launches
- Cedar Lake Public Access Site
- Clay Street 21806, Hebron
- 240th Avenue 101-609, Lowell
- County Road E 1800 North 3102-3264, Momence
- Oak Savannah Trail, Merrillville
- Grand Boulevard 2313, Lake Station
Campgrounds
- Camp Shabbona Woods
- Camp Lawrence
- Indiana Dunes State Park
- State Park
- Davis Creek Group Camp
- Kankakee River State Park
Fishing spots
Track Lake Dalecarlia Dam (West) 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 Lake Dalecarlia Dam (West)
Where does the data for Lake Dalecarlia Dam (West) 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 Lake Dalecarlia Dam (West).