Santa Claus Lake Dam dam
Santa Claus Lake Dam
Santa Claus Lake Dam in Indiana is a privately owned structure that was completed in 1945. The earth dam stands at a height of 19 feet and has a hydraulic height of 15 feet, providing a storage capacity of 89 acre-feet of water. With a normal storage capacity of 31 acre-feet, the dam covers a surface area of 8.45 acres and serves a drainage area of 0.33 square miles.
Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential and not being rated for condition assessment, Santa Claus Lake Dam remains an important feature in the region. While it has not undergone recent inspections or received a condition rating, the dam plays a crucial role in regulating water flow and providing storage for the surrounding area. With a maximum discharge capacity of 849 cubic feet per second, the dam contributes to water resource management efforts in Spencer County, Indiana.
Although Santa Claus Lake Dam may not have associated emergency action plans or inundation maps prepared, its presence and functionality are vital for the community. As climate change continues to impact water resources, structures like this dam play a key role in maintaining water security and mitigating potential risks. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding the significance of Santa Claus Lake Dam highlights the importance of sustainable water management practices in the face of changing environmental conditions.
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 Santa Claus Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Middle Fork Anderson River At Bristow | 518 cfs | → |
| Patoka River At Jasper | 675 cfs | → |
| Ohio River At Cannelton Dam At Cannelton | 102,000 cfs | → |
| Patoka River At Winslow | 1,240 cfs | → |
| White River Above Petersburg | 1,500 cfs | → |
| White River At Petersburg | 27,200 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Santa Claus Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- North 300 East 15029, Lincoln City
- East 14th Street 961-999, Ferdinand
- Water Street 300, Troy
- South 600 East 7985, Ferdinand
- Jasper Riverwalk, Jasper
- North 1st Street, Cannelton
Campgrounds
- Buckhorn Primitive Campground/ Youth Tent Area
- Gobbler's Run Non-Electric Campground
- Lake Lincoln Campground
- Lincoln State Park
- Ferdinand State Forest
- Dubois County Park
Paddle runs
- Carnes Mill Site To 7.65 Miles Above Confluece With Ohio River At Confluence With Turkey Creek
- City Limits Of English, In To Carnes Mill Site In Ne1/4ne1/4 Of Sec 13, T3s, R1w
- State Road 56 Bridge To Forest Purchase Boundary At Roland, In
- State Road 337 Bridge To State Road 56 Bridge At Prospect, In
- Junction Of North/South Forks Of Lost River To State Road 337 Bridge, Approx 4 Miles Southeast Of Orleans, In
Track Santa Claus 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 Santa Claus Lake Dam
Where does the data for Santa Claus 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 Santa Claus Lake Dam.