Black Beauty Lake dam
Black Beauty Lake
Black Beauty Lake in Indiana is a privately owned reservoir situated in Pike County, offering a tranquil oasis for water resource and climate enthusiasts. Built in 1979, this earth dam spans 580 feet in length and stands at a height of 27 feet, with a storage capacity of 55 acre-feet. The lake covers a surface area of 5 acres and is fed by an unnamed tributary of the Patoka River, making it a vital component of the local hydrological system.
Despite its low hazard potential, Black Beauty Lake has been assessed as being in poor condition, requiring regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity. The dam is regulated by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, reflecting the state's commitment to enforcing safety standards for water infrastructure. With a drainage area of 0.07 square miles and a maximum discharge capacity of 112 cubic feet per second, the lake plays a significant role in managing water flow in the region.
For those interested in water management and environmental conservation, Black Beauty Lake offers a compelling case study in maintaining and safeguarding vital water resources. Its unique location and design underscore the importance of proper oversight and maintenance to ensure the longevity and efficiency of our water infrastructure in the face of changing climatic conditions.
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 Black Beauty Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Patoka River At Winslow | 1,240 cfs | → |
| Patoka River At Jasper | 675 cfs | → |
| White River Above Petersburg | 1,500 cfs | → |
| White River At Petersburg | 27,200 cfs | → |
| Pigeon Creek Near Fort Branch | 321 cfs | → |
| Patoka River Near Princeton | 1,580 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Black Beauty Lake.
Boat launches
- Pigeon Pit 1157-1163, Winslow
- Jasper Riverwalk, Jasper
- County Road 675 East, Otwell
- County Road 825 South Daviess County
- County Road 600 South Daviess County
- County Road 600 South, Montgomery
Campgrounds
- Pike State Forest
- Prides Creek Co Park
- Dubois County Park
- Glendale State Fish And Wildlife Area
- Lynnville Park
- Gobbler's Run Non-Electric Campground
Paddle runs
- 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
- 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 Black Beauty Lake 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 Black Beauty Lake
Where does the data for Black Beauty 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 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 Black Beauty Lake.