Happy Hollow Lake Dam dam
Happy Hollow Lake Dam
Happy Hollow Lake Dam in Brown, Indiana, is a private dam with a primary purpose of recreation. Completed in 1952 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at 38 feet in height and spans 450 feet in length, creating a storage capacity of 235 acre-feet. Situated on an unnamed tributary of Middle Fork Salt Creek, this dam offers a surface area of 16 acres for recreational activities, with a low hazard potential but poor condition assessment as of the last inspection in 2015.
Located in New Bellsville, Happy Hollow Lake Dam is regulated by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and undergoes regular state inspections and enforcement to ensure safety and compliance. With a high risk assessment rating of 2, the dam poses some potential risks that may need to be managed in the future. While there are no spillways or outlet gates associated with this dam, its close proximity to the Louisville District of the USACE underscores the importance of proper maintenance and risk management for water resource and climate enthusiasts who frequent this recreational area.
Despite its poor condition assessment, Happy Hollow Lake Dam remains a popular spot for water and climate enthusiasts seeking to enjoy the natural beauty of Brown, Indiana. With its picturesque location and ample storage capacity, this private dam provides a serene setting for recreational activities while also highlighting the importance of proper maintenance and risk management to ensure the safety of all visitors. As efforts continue to address the high-risk assessment and improve the condition of the dam, enthusiasts can appreciate the beauty of this water resource while also advocating for its long-term sustainability and preservation.
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 Happy Hollow Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| North Fork Salt Creek At Nashville | 2,890 cfs | → |
| East Fork White River At Columbus | 13,400 cfs | → |
| Flatrock River At Columbus | 3,500 cfs | → |
| Driftwood River Near Edinburgh Ind | 9,520 cfs | → |
| Sugar Creek Near Edinburgh | 4,340 cfs | → |
| Haw Creek Near Clifford | 915 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Happy Hollow Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Bartholomew County
- County Road North 325 West 4311, Bartholomew County
- Water Street 300-498, Columbus
- Tannehill Road Bartholomew County
- County Road 550 North Bartholomew County
- East 800 South 5449-5899, Columbus
Campgrounds
- Happy Hollow’S Children Camp
- Brown County State Park
- Horseman's Camp
- Yellowwood State Forest
- Heflen Co Park
- Camp Atterbury Military
Track Happy Hollow 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 Happy Hollow Lake Dam
Where does the data for Happy Hollow 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 Happy Hollow Lake Dam.