Fortner Lake Dam dam
Fortner Lake Dam
Fortner Lake Dam, located in Brown County, Indiana, is a privately owned structure that serves as a crucial water resource in the area. Built in 1959, this earth dam stands at a height of 33 feet and stretches 300 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 40 acre-feet. It is situated on an unnamed tributary of Brier Creek and falls under the regulatory oversight of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
Despite its low hazard potential, Fortner Lake Dam is classified as having poor condition, as assessed in 2001. The dam lacks a spillway and outlet gates, which raises concerns about its ability to manage water flow effectively. Additionally, the risk assessment for this dam is high, indicating the need for proactive risk management measures to ensure the safety and integrity of the structure.
Given its importance as a water resource and the potential risks associated with its condition, Fortner Lake Dam presents a unique challenge for water resource and climate enthusiasts. Monitoring and assessing the dam's structural integrity, as well as implementing necessary risk management measures, are crucial steps in safeguarding the surrounding community and environment from potential hazards.
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 Fortner Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| North Fork Salt Creek At Nashville | 101 cfs | → |
| White River Near Centerton | 1,830 cfs | → |
| Sugar Creek Near Edinburgh | 295 cfs | → |
| Driftwood River Near Edinburgh Ind | 995 cfs | → |
| Youngs Creek Near Edinburgh Ind | 75 cfs | → |
| White Lick Creek At Mooresville | 199 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Fortner Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Henderson Ford Boat Ramp
- East Stipp Road Monroe County
- County Road 550 South 3427, Franklin
- Monroe County
- South Mauxferry Road Johnson County
- River Road Johnson County
Campgrounds
- Oak Ridge Camping Area
- Mason Ridge - Morgan Monroe State Forest
- Mason Ridge Camping Area
- Morgan - Monroe State Forest
- Yellowwood State Forest
- Horseman's Camp
Track Fortner 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 Fortner Lake Dam
Where does the data for Fortner 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 Fortner Lake Dam.