James Covert Lake Dam dam
James Covert Lake Dam
James Covert Lake Dam, located in Clark, Indiana, was completed in 1977 and serves as a vital recreational resource for the area. Owned privately, this earth dam stands at 19 feet tall and spans 550 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 66 acre-feet. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam has not been rated for its condition since its last inspection in 1997.
While the dam does not fall under state jurisdiction or regulation, it plays a crucial role in providing recreational opportunities to the community. The dam's primary purpose is for recreation, with a normal storage capacity of 24 acre-feet and a surface area of 8.74 acres. Even though it lacks updated emergency action plans and risk assessments, James Covert Lake Dam remains a valuable asset for water resource and climate enthusiasts in the region.
As one of the few privately-owned dams in Indiana, James Covert Lake Dam stands as a testament to the importance of sustainable water resource management. Its presence not only enhances the local environment but also offers a picturesque setting for outdoor activities. While there are opportunities for improvement in terms of safety assessments and emergency preparedness, the dam continues to be a focal point for those who appreciate the intersection of water conservation and recreational enjoyment.
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 James Covert Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Silver Creek Near Sellersburg | 3,490 cfs | → |
| Harrods Creek At Highway 329 Nr Goshen | 136 cfs | → |
| Little Goose Creek Near Harrods Creek | 12 cfs | → |
| Goose Creek At Us Hwy 42 Near Glenview Acres | 7 cfs | → |
| Muddy Fk At Mockingbird Valley Rd At Louisville | 8 cfs | → |
| Goose Creek At Old Westport Rd Nr St Matthews | 3 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near James Covert Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Charlestown State Park Boat Ramp
- Westport Park Boat Ramp
- Bell Street Bethlehem
- Harrison Avenue 1021, Clarksville
- North Elk Creek Road 3477-3501, Scottsburg
- North 27th Street Louisville
Campgrounds
- Charlestown State Park
- Deam Lake Campground
- Deam Lake State Rec Area
- Clark State Forest
- Campground Gatehouse
- Hardy Lake State Rec Area
Paddle runs
- Junction Of North/South Forks Of Lost River To State Road 337 Bridge, Approx 4 Miles Southeast Of Orleans, 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
- State Road 337 Bridge To State Road 56 Bridge At Prospect, In
- State Road 56 Bridge To Forest Purchase Boundary At Roland, In
Track James Covert 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 James Covert Lake Dam
Where does the data for James Covert 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 James Covert Lake Dam.