Silver Hook Lake Dam dam
Silver Hook Lake Dam
Silver Hook Lake Dam, located in Brown County, Indiana, was completed in 1976 and stands at a height of 50 feet with a hydraulic height of 52 feet. The earth dam spans 300 feet and provides a maximum storage capacity of 131 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 94 acre-feet. Situated on an unnamed tributary of Middle Fork Salt Creek, the dam plays a crucial role in regulating water flow and providing flood protection in the area.
Despite its importance, Silver Hook Lake Dam has a significant hazard potential and is currently assessed to be in poor condition. The last inspection in 2018 revealed the need for maintenance and improvements to ensure the dam's safety and functionality. With a high risk rating of 2, stakeholders must prioritize risk management measures to mitigate potential threats and safeguard the surrounding community and environment.
Owned privately, the dam is regulated by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and undergoes regular inspections and enforcement measures. While there are no spillways or outlet gates associated with the dam, its role in water resource management and climate resilience underscores the need for continued monitoring and investment to address the identified risks and ensure the long-term safety and effectiveness of Silver Hook Lake Dam.
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 Silver Hook Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| North Fork Salt Creek At Nashville | 1,210 cfs | → |
| East Fork White River At Columbus | 7,760 cfs | → |
| Flatrock River At Columbus | 2,000 cfs | → |
| Driftwood River Near Edinburgh Ind | 5,910 cfs | → |
| East Fork White River At Seymour Ind | 6,250 cfs | → |
| Sugar Creek Near Edinburgh | 3,580 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Silver Hook Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Bartholomew County
- County Road North 325 West 4311, Bartholomew County
- Monroe County
- Water Street 300-498, Columbus
- Tannehill Road Bartholomew County
- East Stipp Road Monroe County
Campgrounds
- Happy Hollow’S Children Camp
- Brown County State Park
- Horseman's Camp
- Yellowwood State Forest
- Hickory Ridge Horse Camp
- B & D
Track Silver Hook 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 Silver Hook Lake Dam
Where does the data for Silver Hook 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 Silver Hook Lake Dam.