Norman Olson Lake Dam dam
Norman Olson Lake Dam
Located in the picturesque Deep River area of Porter, Indiana, Norman Olson Lake Dam stands as a significant water resource structure designed by the USDA NRCS in 1968. This private dam serves primarily for recreational purposes, offering a serene 14-acre surface area for water enthusiasts to enjoy. The dam's earth construction stands at 20 feet high, with a hydraulic height of 18 feet, providing a storage capacity of 172 acre-feet for the unnamed tributary of Deep River.
While the dam's primary purpose is recreation, its hazard potential is deemed significant with an unsatisfactory condition assessment as of 2007. The dam has a high risk assessment level, indicating the need for proactive risk management measures to ensure public safety and prevent potential incidents. Despite its tranquil setting and recreational value, the Norman Olson Lake Dam serves as a reminder of the crucial role water resource management plays in maintaining a balance between human enjoyment and environmental safety in the face of climate challenges.
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 Norman Olson Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Deep River At Lake George Outlet At Hobart | 32 cfs | → |
| Burns Ditch At Portage | 121 cfs | → |
| Little Calumet River At Porter | 38 cfs | → |
| Kankakee River Nr Kouts | 1,240 cfs | → |
| Grand Calumet River At Industrial Hwy At Gary | 446 cfs | → |
| Hart Ditch At Munster | 21 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Norman Olson Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Wesley Road Porter County
- Grand Boulevard 2313, Lake Station
- Oak Savannah Trail, Merrillville
- Cedar Lake Public Access Site
- Clay Street 21806, Hebron
- Dunn’S Bridge Jasper County
Campgrounds
- Camp Lawrence
- Indiana Dunes State Park
- State Park
- Dunewood - Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore
- Dunewood Campground
- Camp Shabbona Woods
Fishing spots
Track Norman Olson 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 Norman Olson Lake Dam
Where does the data for Norman Olson 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 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 Norman Olson Lake Dam.