Woodland Retreat Lake dam
Woodland Retreat Lake
Woodland Retreat Lake in Indiana is a private and state-regulated recreational dam designed by the USDA NRCS, with a low hazard potential but poor condition assessment. Completed in 1957, this earth dam stands at 30 feet high and spans 363 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 94 acre-feet and a surface area of 5.14 acres. Located in Metamora, Franklin County, it serves as a serene retreat for water resource and climate enthusiasts, offering opportunities for recreation and relaxation.
Despite its outdated condition assessment from 2011, Woodland Retreat Lake remains a charming destination for nature lovers seeking a tranquil escape. While it lacks a spillway and outlet gates, its maximum discharge capacity reaches 192 cubic feet per second. The dam's location on an unnamed tributary to Sanes Creek adds to its picturesque setting, attracting visitors who appreciate the beauty of Indiana's water resources. With its historical significance dating back over 60 years, this hidden gem invites exploration and admiration for those interested in the intersection of water management and environmental conservation.
As climate change continues to impact our planet, Woodland Retreat Lake serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving our natural resources and maintaining infrastructure for future generations to enjoy. Despite its high risk assessment level, the dam's role in providing recreational opportunities underscores the need for ongoing monitoring and potential updates to ensure its longevity and safety. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, this idyllic retreat offers a glimpse into the delicate balance between human intervention and the natural world, making it a valuable site for both appreciation and reflection.
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 Woodland Retreat Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Whitewater River Near Alpine | 6,020 cfs | → |
| Whitewater River At Brookville | 9,940 cfs | → |
| East Fork Whitewater River At Abington | 2,690 cfs | → |
| Flatrock River At St. Paul | 3,800 cfs | → |
| East Fork Whitewater River At Richmond | 1,050 cfs | → |
| Big Blue River At Shelbyville | 3,070 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Woodland Retreat Lake.
Boat launches
- Egypt Hollow Boat Ramp
- Fairfield Boat Ramp
- Hanna Creek Boat Ramp
- Bonwell Hill Road 10064, Brookville
- Dunlapsville Ramp Union County
- Whitewater Sp Ramp Union County
Campgrounds
- Quakertown State Rec Area - Brookville Lake
- Brookville Lake
- Franklin County Park
- Mounds State Rec Area - Brookville Lake
- Governor Bebb Preserve
- Campground A
Fishing spots
Track Woodland Retreat Lake 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 Woodland Retreat Lake
Where does the data for Woodland Retreat Lake 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 Woodland Retreat Lake.