Olinger Lake Dam dam
Olinger Lake Dam
Olinger Lake Dam, located in Orange County, Indiana, is a state-owned structure primarily used for recreational purposes. Completed in 1970, the earth dam stands at a height of 37 feet and spans a length of 820 feet, with a maximum storage capacity of 549 acre-feet. The dam overlooks an unnamed tributary of the Patoka River and covers a surface area of 18 acres, providing a serene backdrop for outdoor enthusiasts.
Despite its low hazard potential, Olinger Lake Dam has been rated as being in poor condition as of the last inspection in January 2016. With a high risk assessment score of 2, there are concerns about the structural integrity and overall safety of the dam. It is important for the state regulatory agency, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, to conduct regular inspections and enforce necessary maintenance measures to ensure the safety of the surrounding community and the preservation of this valuable water resource.
While the dam currently lacks a spillway and outlet gates, it remains a popular spot for recreation and wildlife enjoyment. As climate change continues to impact water resources and infrastructure, it is crucial for stakeholders to prioritize the upkeep and modernization of dams like Olinger Lake to adapt to evolving environmental conditions and ensure the long-term sustainability of this vital water source in Indiana.
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 Olinger Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Patoka River At Jasper | 88 cfs | → |
| East Fork White River At Shoals | 7,890 cfs | → |
| Middle Fork Anderson River At Bristow | 2 cfs | → |
| Blue River At Fredericksburg | 273 cfs | → |
| Blue River Near White Cloud | 777 cfs | → |
| East Fork White River Near Bedford | 4,200 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Olinger Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Indiana 145 9401-9679, French Lick
- County Road 1060 South, French Lick
- West County Road 1025 South Orange County
- Indiana 145 7772, French Lick
- Elon Road, Eckerty
- County Road 1075 West, French Lick
Campgrounds
- Modern Campground
- Newton Stewart State Rec Area - Patoka Lake
- Fishermen's Campground
- Springs Valley Rec Area
- Springs Valley Recreation Area
- Sycamore Springs Park
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- State Road 337 Bridge To State Road 56 Bridge At Prospect, In
- State Road 56 Bridge To Forest Purchase Boundary At Roland, In
- City Limits Of English, In To Carnes Mill Site In Ne1/4ne1/4 Of Sec 13, T3s, R1w
- Carnes Mill Site To 7.65 Miles Above Confluece With Ohio River At Confluence With Turkey Creek
- Junction Of North/South Forks Of Lost River To State Road 337 Bridge, Approx 4 Miles Southeast Of Orleans, In
Track Olinger 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 Olinger Lake Dam
Where does the data for Olinger 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 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 Olinger Lake Dam.