Lacy & Caress Lake Dam West dam
Lacy & Caress Lake Dam West
Located in Johnson County, Indiana, the Lacy & Caress Lake Dam West, also known as the Joe Weddle Dam, is a privately owned earth dam constructed in 1992 for recreational purposes. The dam stands at a height of 30.5 feet with a hydraulic height of 27 feet and a structural height of 30.5 feet, creating a reservoir with a storage capacity of 105 acre-feet. The dam is situated along an unnamed tributary of Nineveh Creek, covering a surface area of 4.3 acres and serving as a popular spot for water resource and climate enthusiasts.
Managed by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, the dam is subject to state regulation, inspection, and enforcement to ensure its safety and functionality. Despite being classified as a low hazard potential structure, the dam is assessed to be in fair condition as of June 2013. Regular inspections take place every five years, with the last inspection conducted in August 2018. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway type with a width of 18 feet, capable of handling a maximum discharge of 291 cubic feet per second.
With its moderate risk assessment and scenic location in the heart of Indiana, the Lacy & Caress Lake Dam West offers a unique opportunity for outdoor recreation and exploration. As a vital part of the local watershed, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources and supporting the diverse ecosystems of the region. Whether you are interested in dam engineering, hydrology, or simply enjoying nature, this picturesque site is worth a visit for water resource and climate enthusiasts looking to learn more about the intersection of human infrastructure and natural landscapes.
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 Lacy & Caress Lake Dam West -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar Creek Near Edinburgh | 4,340 cfs | → |
| Youngs Creek Near Edinburgh Ind | 1,480 cfs | → |
| Driftwood River Near Edinburgh Ind | 9,520 cfs | → |
| Flatrock River At Columbus | 3,500 cfs | → |
| North Fork Salt Creek At Nashville | 2,890 cfs | → |
| Haw Creek Near Clifford | 915 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lacy & Caress Lake Dam West.
Boat launches
- County Road 550 South 3427, Franklin
- South Mauxferry Road Johnson County
- River Road Johnson County
- Us 31 Edinburgh
- Tannehill Road Bartholomew County
Campgrounds
- Johnson County Park
- Camp Atterbury Military
- Irwin City Park
- Heflen Co Park
- Mason Ridge - Morgan Monroe State Forest
- Happy Hollow’S Children Camp
Paddle runs
Track Lacy & Caress Lake Dam West 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 Lacy & Caress Lake Dam West
Where does the data for Lacy & Caress Lake Dam West 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 Lacy & Caress Lake Dam West.