Thomas Papaik Lake Dam dam
Thomas Papaik Lake Dam
Thomas Papaik Lake Dam is a private structure located in Steuben, Indiana, serving as a recreational spot for fish and wildlife enthusiasts. With a height of 27 feet and a length of 935 feet, the dam offers a serene surface area of 14.5 acres for visitors to enjoy. Despite its poor condition assessment in 2014, the dam has a low hazard potential and a moderate risk level.
Owned privately, the dam is regulated by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, ensuring state inspection, permitting, and enforcement. The dam's primary purpose is for recreation, providing a tranquil environment for outdoor activities. Situated in a picturesque location with a drainage area of 0.19 square miles, Thomas Papaik Lake Dam offers a peaceful retreat for water resource and climate enthusiasts.
Although the dam may require maintenance and improvements due to its poor condition assessment, it continues to attract visitors seeking a recreational escape in the heart of Indiana. With its low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment, Thomas Papaik Lake Dam remains a popular destination for those looking to appreciate the beauty of nature and engage in outdoor activities near the Chicago District.
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 Thomas Papaik Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Pigeon Creek Nr Angola | 87 cfs | → |
| Fish Creek At Hamilton | 32 cfs | → |
| Cedar Creek At 18th Street At Auburn | 72 cfs | → |
| West Branch St. Joseph River Nr Nettle Lake | 67 cfs | → |
| St. Joseph River Near Newville | 318 cfs | → |
| Unnamed Tributary To Lost Creek Near Farmers Oh | 2 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Thomas Papaik Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Fox Lake Road 1326-1428, Angola
- Ln 340 Jimmerson Lake 500-540, Angola
- Lane 385 Big Otter Lake Steuben County
- East 700 North 3480, Steuben County
- Lake George, 565 Acres, Branch County
- Gilead Lake Boat Launch
Campgrounds
- Steuben County Park
- Pokagon State Park
- Pigeon River State Fish And Wildlife Area
- Bixler Lake City Campground
- Clark
- Houston
Fishing spots
Track Thomas Papaik 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 Thomas Papaik Lake Dam
Where does the data for Thomas Papaik 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 Thomas Papaik Lake Dam.