Lake In The Woods Dam dam
Lake In The Woods Dam
Lake In The Woods Dam, located in Clay, Indiana, stands as a significant structure along the East Fork Birch Creek. Completed in 1925, this private-owned dam boasts a height of 18 feet and a length of 460 feet, providing a storage capacity of 223 acre-feet. Despite its age, the dam has a normal storage capacity of 83 acre-feet, with a maximum discharge rate of 240 cubic feet per second.
With a poor condition assessment and a significant hazard potential, Lake In The Woods Dam is in need of attention to ensure its continued safety and functionality. The last inspection in January 2021 highlighted the dam's deteriorating state, emphasizing the urgency for maintenance and repair. Its risk assessment is classified as high, signaling the need for proactive risk management measures to mitigate potential hazards and safeguard surrounding communities.
As a crucial component of the local water resource infrastructure, Lake In The Woods Dam plays a vital role in flood control and water storage. However, its current condition and risk level necessitate immediate action to address safety concerns and ensure the longevity of this essential structure. Climate and water resource enthusiasts are encouraged to monitor developments regarding the dam's maintenance and risk management strategies to uphold its integrity and protect the surrounding environment.
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 In The Woods Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Eel River At Bowling Green | 3,610 cfs | → |
| Big Raccoon Creek At Coxville | 956 cfs | → |
| Wabash River At Terre Haute | 12,400 cfs | → |
| Mill Creek Near Cataract | 2,480 cfs | → |
| Big Raccoon Creek Near Fincastle Ind | 340 cfs | → |
| Wabash River At Montezuma | 10,000 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake In The Woods Dam.
Boat launches
- I 70 Clay County
- Ten High Drive Owen County
- Lake Shore Drive Owen County
- Brann Road Owen County
- Blackman Street, Clinton
- Marshall Road Rockville
Track Lake In The Woods 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 In The Woods Dam
Where does the data for Lake In The Woods 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 Lake In The Woods Dam.