Thompson Lake Dam dam
Thompson Lake Dam
Thompson Lake Dam, located in Bartholomew County, Indiana, was completed in 1962 and serves primarily for recreational purposes. This private dam, standing at a height of 19 feet and stretching 402 feet in length, has a storage capacity of 79 acre-feet and a surface area of 8.98 acres. While the dam's hazard potential is currently categorized as "Undetermined" and its condition is "Not Rated," the last inspection took place in 1987, indicating a need for updated assessments to ensure its safety and functionality.
Despite not being regulated or permitted by the state, Thompson Lake Dam plays a crucial role in providing recreational opportunities for the community. With a maximum discharge of 159 cubic feet per second, this earth dam contributes to the scenic beauty of the area while also potentially impacting water resources and climate patterns in the region. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, it is essential to recognize the significance of maintaining and monitoring dams like Thompson Lake Dam to preserve both their recreational value and environmental impact for future generations.
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 Thompson Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| East Fork White River At Columbus | 7,760 cfs | → |
| Flatrock River At Columbus | 2,000 cfs | → |
| East Fork White River At Seymour Ind | 6,250 cfs | → |
| Haw Creek Near Clifford | 320 cfs | → |
| Clifty Creek At Hartsville | 584 cfs | → |
| Driftwood River Near Edinburgh Ind | 5,910 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Thompson Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- East 800 South 5449-5899, Columbus
- Water Street 300-498, Columbus
- Bartholomew County
- North State Route 7 9340, Elizabethtown
- North County Road 760 East 7248, Seymour
- County Road North 325 West 4311, Bartholomew County
Campgrounds
- Happy Hollow’S Children Camp
- Heflen Co Park
- Irwin City Park
- Muscatatuck
- Camp Atterbury Military
- Jackson - Washington State Forest
Track Thompson 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 Thompson Lake Dam
Where does the data for Thompson 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 Undetermined 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 Thompson Lake Dam.