Elkhart dam
Elkhart
Located in Elkhart, Indiana, the Elkhart Hydroelectric Dam stands as a testament to engineering excellence since its completion in 1903. With a primary purpose of hydroelectric power generation, this gravity dam harnesses the power of the St. Joseph River to provide a maximum storage capacity of 3,300 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 33,000 cubic feet per second.
The dam, with a height of 24.5 feet and a length of 309 feet, is equipped with a controlled spillway and 11 Tainter radial gates for efficient water management. The surrounding area boasts a surface area of 512 acres and a drainage area of 2,542 square miles, making it a vital resource for the region. Despite its high hazard potential, the dam has not undergone a formal condition assessment, making its structural integrity a point of concern for water resource and climate enthusiasts.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the Elkhart Hydroelectric Dam serves as a key player in the sustainable energy landscape of Indiana. Its historical significance and ongoing operational importance make it a focal point for monitoring and potential risk mitigation efforts within the region.
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 Elkhart -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| St. Joseph River At Elkhart | 4,020 cfs | → |
| Elkhart River At Goshen | 594 cfs | → |
| St. Joseph River At Mottville | 2,550 cfs | → |
| Juday Creek Near South Bend | 17 cfs | → |
| St. Joseph River At Niles | 4,410 cfs | → |
| Dowagiac River At Sumnerville | 331 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Elkhart .
Boat launches
- Mcdonald Street 1098-1198, Elkhart
- Galbrett Drive, Elkhart
- Edgewater Boulevard 1215, Elkhart
- North Channel Parkway 68492, Mason Township
- Capital Avenue, Mishawaka
- West Plymouth Avenue Goshen
Campgrounds
- Elkhart County Fairgrounds
- Elkhart Co. / Middlebury Koa Holiday
- Wood Lake Scout Reservation
- Potato Creek State Park
- Camp Betz
- Shamrock Park
Fishing spots
Track Elkhart 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 Elkhart
Where does the data for Elkhart 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 Elkhart .