Smith Lake Dam dam
Smith Lake Dam
Smith Lake Dam in Scott County, Indiana, is a private dam constructed in 1952 by the USDA NRCS for the primary purpose of recreation. With a height of 28 feet and a length of 500 feet, the dam holds a maximum storage capacity of 217 acre-feet and a normal storage capacity of 141 acre-feet. It is situated on an unnamed tributary of Woods Fork and is regulated by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
The dam features an uncontrolled spillway type and has a low hazard potential with a fair condition assessment as of December 2013. The last inspection was conducted in April 2018, with a frequency of every five years. The risk assessment for the dam is classified as moderate (3), indicating a moderate level of risk associated with its operation and maintenance. Overall, Smith Lake Dam provides a recreational outlet for enthusiasts in the area while complying with state regulations and inspection requirements.
Located in the city of Scottsburg, Smith Lake Dam offers a surface area of 15 acres and a drainage area of 0.24 square miles. The dam has a maximum discharge capacity of 527 cubic feet per second and does not have outlet gates. With its picturesque setting and moderate risk level, Smith Lake Dam serves as a vital resource for water storage, flood control, and recreational activities in the region, attracting visitors and climate enthusiasts alike to its tranquil waters and scenic surroundings.
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 Smith Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Muscatatuck River Near Deputy | 2,110 cfs | → |
| Vernon Fork Muscatatuck River At Vernon | 2,320 cfs | → |
| Silver Creek Near Sellersburg | 3,490 cfs | → |
| Harrods Creek At Highway 329 Nr Goshen | 136 cfs | → |
| West Fork Blue River At Salem | 220 cfs | → |
| East Fork White River At Seymour Ind | 6,250 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Smith Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- West Blake Road 15976, Deputy
- North Elk Creek Road 3477-3501, Scottsburg
- Bell Street Bethlehem
- Milton Boat Ramp
- Westport Park Boat Ramp
- Indiana 3 3585, North Vernon
Campgrounds
- Campground Gatehouse
- Hardy Lake State Rec Area
- Clifty Falls State Park
- Charlestown State Park
- Madison City Park
- Clark State Forest
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
- State Road 337 Bridge To State Road 56 Bridge At Prospect, In
- Carnes Mill Site To 7.65 Miles Above Confluece With Ohio River At Confluence With Turkey Creek
- State Road 56 Bridge To Forest Purchase Boundary At Roland, In
Track Smith 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 Smith Lake Dam
Where does the data for Smith 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 Low 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 Smith Lake Dam.