Lake Latonka Dam dam
Lake Latonka Dam
Lake Latonka Dam, also known as Ponderosa Lake Dam, is a private dam located in Marshall, Indiana, completed in 1964 for recreational purposes. The dam stands at 24 feet high with a hydraulic height of 18 feet, spanning 1931 feet in length. With a storage capacity of 754 acre-feet and a surface area of 100 acres, the dam regulates the flow of Harry Cool Ditch, serving as a popular recreational spot in the area.
Despite its primary purpose for recreation, Lake Latonka Dam poses a high hazard potential with a poor condition assessment, last evaluated in June 2006. The dam has a moderate risk rating and is inspected biennially to ensure public safety. As a privately owned structure, the dam's maintenance and enforcement fall under the jurisdiction of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, with state regulations and permitting in place for continued operation and inspections.
With its picturesque setting and significant role in water resource management, Lake Latonka Dam remains a focal point for water and climate enthusiasts. Its unique design as an earth dam with stone core and soil foundation adds to its historical and environmental significance. As efforts continue to maintain and safeguard this vital infrastructure, the dam stands as a testament to the intersection of human recreation and natural resource conservation in the heart of Indiana's water landscape.
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 Lake Latonka Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow River At Plymouth | 206 cfs | → |
| Yellow River At Knox | 370 cfs | → |
| Tippecanoe River Near Ora | 986 cfs | → |
| Kankakee River At Davis | 551 cfs | → |
| Tippecanoe River At Winamac | 1,060 cfs | → |
| Kankakee River At Dunns Bridge | 1,350 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Latonka Dam.
Boat launches
- Lake Maxinkuckee Public Access
- South Lake Drive 20943, Walkerton
- Lake Of The Woods Public Access
- County Road 215 East 2763-2797, Winamac
- Primrose Road, North Liberty
- W 100 N Starke County
Campgrounds
- Hidden Lake Paradise Camp Grnd
- Bass Lake State Beach
- Tippecanoe River State Park
- Potato Creek State Park
- Pike Lake County Campground
- Kosciusko County Fairgrounds
Fishing spots
Track Lake Latonka 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 Lake Latonka Dam
Where does the data for Lake Latonka 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 Lake Latonka Dam.