Baird Lake Dam
Baird Lake
Baird Lake in Indiana is a privately owned reservoir with a primary purpose of recreation. Located in Jackson County, this Earth dam structure stands at 38 feet high and stretches 260 feet in length, providing a storage capacity of 61 acre-feet. While the dam's hazard potential is classified as low, its condition assessment is deemed poor, with the last inspection date conducted in May 2016.
Despite its risk assessment ranking at a high level, Baird Lake remains a popular spot for water and climate enthusiasts to enjoy various recreational activities. The reservoir offers a surface area of 4 acres and is situated near an unnamed tributary of Ballard Creek. As a state-regulated body of water, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources oversees permitting, inspection, and enforcement processes to ensure the safety and sustainability of the dam and surrounding area.
As an integral part of the water resource infrastructure in Indiana, Baird Lake serves as a valuable recreational resource while also posing a potential risk due to its poor condition. With its scenic location and diverse wildlife, this reservoir continues to attract visitors seeking outdoor adventures and opportunities to connect with nature. Despite its maintenance challenges, Baird Lake remains a cherished destination for those passionate about water resources and climate conservation.
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 Baird Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| East Fork White River At Seymour Ind | 1,060 cfs | → |
| East Fork White River Near Bedford | 1,730 cfs | → |
| North Fork Salt Creek At Nashville | 41 cfs | → |
| East Fork White River At Columbus | 494 cfs | → |
| West Fork Blue River At Salem | 7 cfs | → |
| Flatrock River At Columbus | 196 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Baird Lake.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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About Baird Lake
Where does the data for Baird Lake 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 below 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.
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.