Little Raccoon Dam No. 11 dam
Little Raccoon Dam No. 11
Little Raccoon Dam No. 11, also known as Bushong Lake, is a vital flood risk reduction structure located in Parke, Indiana. Constructed in 1970 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at a height of 40 feet and spans 800 feet in length. It serves the primary purpose of flood risk reduction for the unnamed tributary of Little Raccoon Creek, with a storage capacity of 1,743 acre-feet and a normal storage volume of 143 acre-feet.
Managed by the local government and regulated by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Little Raccoon Dam No. 11 has a significant hazard potential but is currently in fair condition. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 150 feet and has a maximum discharge capacity of 5,800 cubic feet per second. Despite its moderate risk assessment score of 3, the dam has not been modified in recent years and lacks certain emergency preparedness measures such as an Emergency Action Plan (EAP).
Water resource and climate enthusiasts can appreciate the engineering and environmental significance of Little Raccoon Dam No. 11 as it continues to play a crucial role in mitigating flood risks in the region. With its strategic location, design, and operational features, this dam stands as a testament to the ongoing efforts to manage and safeguard water resources for the community while balancing the need for flood protection and environmental conservation.
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 Little Raccoon Dam No. 11 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Big Raccoon Creek Near Fincastle Ind | 340 cfs | → |
| Wabash River At Montezuma | 10,000 cfs | → |
| Sugar Creek At Crawfordsville | 950 cfs | → |
| Big Walnut Creek Near Roachdale | 538 cfs | → |
| Big Raccoon Creek At Coxville | 956 cfs | → |
| Plum Creek Near Bainbridge | 15 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Little Raccoon Dam No. 11.
Boat launches
- Henley Road 8823, Marshall
- Marshall Road Rockville
- Small Mouth Run Trail Hendricks County
- Blackman Street, Clinton
- I 70 Clay County
- Lake Shore Drive Owen County
Track Little Raccoon Dam No. 11 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 Little Raccoon Dam No. 11
Where does the data for Little Raccoon Dam No. 11 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 Significant 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 Little Raccoon Dam No. 11.