Star Mill Dam dam
Star Mill Dam
Star Mill Dam, located on the Fawn River in LaGrange, Indiana, was completed in 1929 and serves primarily for hydroelectric purposes. This concrete dam stands at a height of 9 feet and stretches 362 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 275 acre-feet. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam is regulated by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and undergoes regular inspections, with the last assessment conducted in January 2018.
The dam's location within the Chicago District of the US Army Corps of Engineers adds to its significance in water resource management. While it currently operates with uncontrolled spillways and no outlet gates, the dam's moderate risk assessment suggests a need for continued monitoring and potential risk management measures. With a drainage area of 164.94 square miles, the dam plays a crucial role in regulating water flow and storage in the region, contributing to the overall climate resilience and water resource sustainability of the area.
As a historical landmark with a rich legacy in hydroelectric power generation, Star Mill Dam represents a blend of engineering ingenuity and environmental stewardship. Its presence along the Fawn River not only highlights the intersection of human infrastructure with natural ecosystems but also underscores the importance of maintaining and managing water resources in a changing climate. By staying abreast of regulatory requirements and implementing appropriate risk management strategies, the owners of Star Mill Dam can ensure its continued operation for the benefit of both local communities and the environment.
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 Star Mill Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Pigeon River Near Scott | 326 cfs | → |
| Prairie River Near Nottawa | 114 cfs | → |
| St. Joseph River At Mottville | 2,180 cfs | → |
| St. Joseph River At Three Rivers | 1,780 cfs | → |
| Nb Elkhart River At Cosperville | 153 cfs | → |
| Pigeon Creek Nr Angola | 90 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Star Mill Dam.
Boat launches
- East Fawn River Road 29783, Fawn River
- Robin Lee Lane Sherman Township
- Prairie Lake Road 64873, Sherman Township
- Findley Road 23906, Nottawa Township
- Gilead Lake Boat Launch
- Pine Grove Road 59160, Colon Township
Campgrounds
- Cade Lake County Park
- Pigeon River State Fish And Wildlife Area
- Nottawa Park
- Elkhart Co. / Middlebury Koa Holiday
- Wood Lake Scout Reservation
- Steuben County Park
Fishing spots
Track Star Mill 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 Star Mill Dam
Where does the data for Star Mill 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 Star Mill Dam.