Critzer Lake Dam dam
Critzer Lake Dam
Critzer Lake Dam, located in Bartholomew County, Indiana, stands as a vital structure for recreational purposes since its completion in 1978. The Earth-type dam reaches a height of 25 feet and spans 175 feet in length, holding a storage capacity of 22 acre-feet. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam's condition assessment in 2015 indicated poor structural integrity, emphasizing the need for regular inspections and maintenance to ensure public safety.
Managed by a private entity, Critzer Lake Dam falls under the jurisdiction of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), which oversees its regulation, permitting, inspection, and enforcement. With the dam situated along an unnamed tributary of Grandview Lake, it serves as a key element in water resource management within the region. Although the spillway type is designated as "None," the dam's risk assessment categorizes it as having a high risk level, warranting attention to potential management measures to mitigate any associated dangers.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts continue to monitor Critzer Lake Dam's status, the significance of regular assessments and maintenance efforts remains crucial in preserving the dam's functionality and safeguarding the surrounding environment. With the dam's location in a high-risk category, proactive risk management strategies and adherence to guidelines are essential in ensuring the long-term stability and safety of this essential water infrastructure.
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 Critzer Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| East Fork White River At Columbus | 1,410 cfs | → |
| Flatrock River At Columbus | 501 cfs | → |
| North Fork Salt Creek At Nashville | 101 cfs | → |
| Driftwood River Near Edinburgh Ind | 995 cfs | → |
| Haw Creek Near Clifford | 18 cfs | → |
| Sugar Creek Near Edinburgh | 295 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Critzer Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Bartholomew County
- County Road North 325 West 4311, Bartholomew County
- Water Street 300-498, Columbus
- Tannehill Road Bartholomew County
- County Road 550 North Bartholomew County
- East 800 South 5449-5899, Columbus
Campgrounds
- Happy Hollow’S Children Camp
- Heflen Co Park
- Brown County State Park
- Camp Atterbury Military
- Irwin City Park
- Johnson County Park
Track Critzer 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 Critzer Lake Dam
Where does the data for Critzer 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 Critzer Lake Dam.