Scales Lake Dam dam
Scales Lake Dam
Scales Lake Dam, located in Warrick, Indiana, was completed in 1935 with the primary purpose of providing recreational opportunities for the local community. This earth dam stands at a height of 31 feet and has a length of 930 feet, creating a reservoir with a storage capacity of 1,262 acre-feet. The dam is situated on an unnamed tributary of Otter Creek and is under the regulatory jurisdiction of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
Despite its significant hazard potential and poor condition assessment, Scales Lake Dam continues to attract visitors with its 60-acre surface area and various recreational activities. The dam's spillway is uncontrolled, with a maximum discharge capacity of 810 cubic feet per second. While the dam has not undergone recent modifications or inspections, its emergency action plan and risk management measures are under evaluation to ensure public safety in case of any unforeseen events.
With its scenic location and historical significance, Scales Lake Dam serves as a popular destination for water resource and climate enthusiasts seeking to explore the intersection of nature and infrastructure. As efforts are made to improve its condition and emergency preparedness, the dam remains a valuable asset for the surrounding community and a reminder of the importance of responsible water management in the face of changing climate patterns.
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 Scales Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Pigeon Creek Near Fort Branch | 4 cfs | → |
| Patoka River At Winslow | 315 cfs | → |
| Patoka River Near Princeton | 387 cfs | → |
| Big Creek Near Wadesville | 7 cfs | → |
| Middle Fork Anderson River At Bristow | 6 cfs | → |
| White River At Petersburg | 13,500 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Scales Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Saint John Road, Elberfeld
- Euler Road, Chandler
- New Harmony Road 11699, Chandler
- Ohio River Scenic Byway 221-383, Newburgh
- North 300 East 15029, Lincoln City
Campgrounds
- Scales Lake Park
- Lynnville Park
- Lincoln State Park
- Gobbler's Run Non-Electric Campground
- Lake Lincoln Campground
- Buckhorn Primitive Campground/ Youth Tent Area
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
Track Scales 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 Scales Lake Dam
Where does the data for Scales 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 Scales Lake Dam.