Sweetwater Lake Dam dam
Sweetwater Lake Dam
Sweetwater Lake Dam, located in Brown, Indiana, is a key structure regulating the flow of Sweetwater Creek. Built in 1965, this earth dam stands at a height of 140 feet and has a maximum storage capacity of 11,700 acre-feet. The primary purpose of the dam is for recreation, providing a surface area of 275 acres for water enthusiasts to enjoy.
With a hazard potential rated as high and a fair condition assessment, Sweetwater Lake Dam is closely monitored and inspected by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. Despite its age, the dam continues to serve its function effectively, ensuring the safety of nearby communities and maintaining the integrity of the surrounding environment. The spillway, with a width of 150 feet, is uncontrolled, allowing excess water to safely pass through during periods of heavy rainfall.
While the risk assessment for Sweetwater Lake Dam is moderate, the dam remains a vital structure for water resource management and climate resilience in the region. As water enthusiasts and climate advocates, it is essential to recognize the importance of maintaining and monitoring infrastructure like Sweetwater Lake Dam to ensure the sustainable use of water resources for future generations.
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 Sweetwater Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Driftwood River Near Edinburgh Ind | 9,520 cfs | → |
| Sugar Creek Near Edinburgh | 4,340 cfs | → |
| North Fork Salt Creek At Nashville | 2,890 cfs | → |
| Youngs Creek Near Edinburgh Ind | 1,480 cfs | → |
| Flatrock River At Columbus | 3,500 cfs | → |
| East Fork White River At Columbus | 13,400 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sweetwater Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Tannehill Road Bartholomew County
- River Road Johnson County
- Us 31 Edinburgh
- South Mauxferry Road Johnson County
- County Road 550 South 3427, Franklin
Campgrounds
- Camp Atterbury Military
- Johnson County Park
- Heflen Co Park
- Happy Hollow’S Children Camp
- Irwin City Park
- Brown County State Park
Paddle runs
Track Sweetwater 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 Sweetwater Lake Dam
Where does the data for Sweetwater 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 Sweetwater Lake Dam.