Baker Lake Dam dam
Baker Lake Dam
Baker Lake Dam, also known as Holland Lake, is a privately owned structure located in Brown County, Indiana. Completed in 1960, this Earth-type dam stands at a height of 31 feet and spans 490 feet in length, with a primary purpose of water supply. The dam, situated on an unnamed tributary of Big Thunder Creek, has a storage capacity of 57 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 3.5 acres.
Despite its significant contribution to water supply and recreation, Baker Lake Dam is categorized as having a high hazard potential and poor condition assessment. Inspected every two years, the dam's last assessment in 2007 revealed its deteriorating state. With an uncontrolled spillway and no outlet gates, there are concerns about the dam's ability to withstand potential emergencies. Although the risk assessment is moderate, there is a need for improved risk management measures to ensure the safety and stability of Baker Lake Dam.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Baker Lake Dam presents an intriguing case study of a privately owned structure with critical implications for water supply and safety. With its location in a picturesque natural setting, the dam's condition assessment and risk potential raise important questions about the management and maintenance of aging infrastructure in the face of changing environmental conditions. As discussions around climate resilience and water management continue to gain importance, Baker Lake Dam serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges and responsibilities associated with maintaining essential water resources for communities and ecosystems.
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 Baker Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| North Fork Salt Creek At Nashville | 3,760 cfs | → |
| White River Near Centerton | 9,600 cfs | → |
| Sugar Creek Near Edinburgh | 2,470 cfs | → |
| Driftwood River Near Edinburgh Ind | 3,870 cfs | → |
| Youngs Creek Near Edinburgh Ind | 1,510 cfs | → |
| Flatrock River At Columbus | 691 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Baker Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Henderson Ford Boat Ramp
- County Road 550 South 3427, Franklin
- South Mauxferry Road Johnson County
- River Road Johnson County
- Us 31 Edinburgh
Campgrounds
- Mason Ridge - Morgan Monroe State Forest
- Oak Ridge Camping Area
- Morgan - Monroe State Forest
- Mason Ridge Camping Area
- Yellowwood State Forest
- Brown County State Park
Track Baker 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 Baker Lake Dam
Where does the data for Baker 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 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 Baker Lake Dam.