Potato Creek State Park Dam dam
Potato Creek State Park Dam
Potato Creek State Park Dam, also known as Worster Lake, is a key recreational area in Indiana, providing a picturesque setting for water resource and climate enthusiasts to enjoy. This earth-type dam, completed in 1977, stands at 42 feet tall and spans 1500 feet, creating a reservoir with a maximum storage capacity of 9000 acre-feet. The dam is regulated by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its safety and functionality.
With a high hazard potential but a fair condition assessment as of June 2018, the Potato Creek State Park Dam poses moderate risk, warranting ongoing risk management measures. The dam's spillway, classified as uncontrolled, allows for a maximum discharge of 10770 cubic feet per second. While the dam primarily serves recreational purposes, it also plays a crucial role in managing the water levels of the Potato Creek, enhancing the overall ecological health of the area.
Located in St. Joseph County, Indiana, Potato Creek State Park Dam offers a serene escape for visitors seeking outdoor adventure and natural beauty. As water levels are carefully managed and the dam is closely monitored for safety, enthusiasts can continue to enjoy the benefits of this essential water resource while appreciating the delicate balance between human recreation and environmental conservation.
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 Potato Creek State Park Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Juday Creek Near South Bend | 16 cfs | → |
| Yellow River At Plymouth | 186 cfs | → |
| Kankakee River At Davis | 539 cfs | → |
| St. Joseph River At Niles | 4,270 cfs | → |
| Yellow River At Knox | 342 cfs | → |
| St. Joseph River At Elkhart | 3,740 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Potato Creek State Park Dam.
Boat launches
- Primrose Road, North Liberty
- North Chain Public Boat Launch
- Northside Trail, South Bend
- South Lake Drive 20943, Walkerton
- Lake Of The Woods Public Access
- Riverside Drive 1861, South Bend
Campgrounds
- Potato Creek State Park
- Hidden Lake Paradise Camp Grnd
- Bass Lake State Beach
- Camp Betz
- Warren Dunes State Park
- Warren Dunes-Rustic
Fishing spots
Track Potato Creek State Park 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 Potato Creek State Park Dam
Where does the data for Potato Creek State Park 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 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 Potato Creek State Park Dam.