Muddy Fork Structure No. 5 dam
Muddy Fork Structure No. 5
Muddy Fork Structure No. 5, located in Clark County, Indiana, is a key flood risk reduction infrastructure along an unnamed tributary of Muddy Fork. Built in 1970 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at a height of 53 feet and spans 822 feet in length. With a storage capacity of 1,180 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 13,250 cubic feet per second, this structure plays a crucial role in managing water flow and reducing flood risks in the area.
Despite being classified as having a high hazard potential, Muddy Fork Structure No. 5 is assessed to be in fair condition as of October 2004. Regular inspections are conducted every two years to ensure its structural integrity and effectiveness in flood risk reduction. The dam's spillway, with a width of 80 feet, helps control water levels during periods of high discharge. With its designed purpose and efficient operation, this structure serves as a vital component in safeguarding the surrounding community from potential flood events.
Managed by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Muddy Fork Structure No. 5 not only protects the local area from floods but also contributes to the overall water resource management in the region. Its strategic location and design make it a noteworthy piece of infrastructure for water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in understanding the intersection of engineering, nature, and public safety in flood-prone areas.
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 Muddy Fork Structure No. 5 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Silver Creek Near Sellersburg | 3,490 cfs | → |
| West Fork Blue River At Salem | 220 cfs | → |
| Blue River At Fredericksburg | 13,200 cfs | → |
| Muddy Fk At Mockingbird Valley Rd At Louisville | 8 cfs | → |
| M Fk Beargrass Cr At Lexington Rd At Louisville | 23 cfs | → |
| Little Goose Creek Near Harrods Creek | 12 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Muddy Fork Structure No. 5.
Boat launches
- Ohio River Greenway 100-598, New Albany
- North Elk Creek Road 3477-3501, Scottsburg
- Harrison Avenue 1021, Clarksville
- North 27th Street Louisville
- Charlestown State Park Boat Ramp
- West Main Street 106, Milltown
Campgrounds
- Deam Lake State Rec Area
- Deam Lake Campground
- Clark State Forest
- Buffalo Trace Co Park
- Charlestown State Park
- Delaney Creek Park
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Junction Of North/South Forks Of Lost River To State Road 337 Bridge, Approx 4 Miles Southeast Of Orleans, In
- City Limits Of English, In To Carnes Mill Site In Ne1/4ne1/4 Of Sec 13, T3s, R1w
- Carnes Mill Site To 7.65 Miles Above Confluece With Ohio River At Confluence With Turkey Creek
- State Road 337 Bridge To State Road 56 Bridge At Prospect, In
- State Road 56 Bridge To Forest Purchase Boundary At Roland, In
Track Muddy Fork Structure No. 5 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 Muddy Fork Structure No. 5
Where does the data for Muddy Fork Structure No. 5 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 Muddy Fork Structure No. 5.