Monroe Dam dam
Monroe Dam
Monroe Dam, also known as Monroe Lake, is a rockfill dam located in Monroe, Indiana, along the Salt Creek. Constructed in 1965 by the US Army Corps of Engineers, the dam serves primarily for flood risk reduction, but also supports recreation and water supply purposes. With a structural height of 93 feet and a hydraulic height of 89 feet, the dam has a storage capacity of 441,000 acre-feet and a surface area of 10,750 acres.
The dam's spillway, with a width of 600 feet, is uncontrolled, and it has three vertical lift outlet gates. Monroe Dam has a high hazard potential and undergoes inspections every five years, with emergency action plans prepared and regularly updated. The US Army Corps of Engineers implements risk management measures to monitor the dam's condition, address flood risks, and collaborate with local emergency managers to ensure preparedness and response in case of a dam-related emergency. Despite the efforts in place, the dam does not eliminate all flood risks, especially during severe weather events that may lead to dam releases or issues.
Overall, Monroe Dam stands as a critical infrastructure for flood risk reduction in the region, supported by the diligent efforts of the US Army Corps of Engineers in managing and maintaining its operations to safeguard surrounding communities and water resources.
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 Monroe Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| East Fork White River Near Bedford | 4,860 cfs | → |
| North Fork Salt Creek At Nashville | 41 cfs | → |
| White River At Newberry | 4,710 cfs | → |
| East Fork White River At Shoals | 7,450 cfs | → |
| Mill Creek Near Cataract | 171 cfs | → |
| East Fork White River At Seymour Ind | 2,760 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Monroe Dam.
Boat launches
- East Stipp Road Monroe County
- Monroe County
- Boat Ramp Access Jackson County
- Bartholomew County
- Jackson County
- East Delaney Millport Road 76, Vallonia
Campgrounds
Paddle runs
- Junction Of North/South Forks Of Lost River To State Road 337 Bridge, Approx 4 Miles Southeast Of Orleans, In
- State Road 56 Bridge To Forest Purchase Boundary At Roland, In
- State Road 337 Bridge To State Road 56 Bridge At Prospect, In
- City Limits Of English, In To Carnes Mill Site In Ne1/4ne1/4 Of Sec 13, T3s, R1w
Track Monroe 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 Monroe Dam
Where does the data for Monroe 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 Monroe Dam.