Koontz Lake Dam dam
Koontz Lake Dam
Koontz Lake Dam, located in Starke County, Indiana, was completed in 1849 and serves as a critical infrastructure for recreational purposes. This concrete dam stands at a height of 22 feet and has a maximum storage capacity of 4,820 acre-feet, with a normal storage capacity of 2,980 acre-feet. The dam spans 271 feet in length and creates a surface area of 324.43 acres, providing a picturesque backdrop for outdoor enthusiasts.
Despite its age, Koontz Lake Dam has been assessed as being in satisfactory condition, with a high hazard potential due to its location along Lawrence Pontius Ditch. The dam is under state regulation by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity. With a moderate risk assessment rating of 3, measures are in place to manage any potential risks associated with the dam.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Koontz Lake Dam offers a fascinating look into the intersection of human infrastructure and natural water systems. Its historical significance, recreational value, and ongoing maintenance highlight the importance of sustainable management of water resources in the face of changing environmental conditions.
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 Koontz Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow River At Knox | 370 cfs | → |
| Yellow River At Plymouth | 206 cfs | → |
| Kankakee River At Davis | 551 cfs | → |
| Tippecanoe River Near Ora | 986 cfs | → |
| Juday Creek Near South Bend | 16 cfs | → |
| Tippecanoe River At Winamac | 1,060 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Koontz Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- South Lake Drive 20943, Walkerton
- Primrose Road, North Liberty
- Lake Of The Woods Public Access
- W 100 N Starke County
- Lake Maxinkuckee Public Access
- Stone Lake Public Boat Launch
Campgrounds
- Hidden Lake Paradise Camp Grnd
- Potato Creek State Park
- Bass Lake State Beach
- Tippecanoe River State Park
- Camp Lawrence
Fishing spots
Track Koontz 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 Koontz Lake Dam
Where does the data for Koontz 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 High 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 Koontz Lake Dam.