U.S. Gypsum Company Dam dam
U.S. Gypsum Company Dam
The U.S. Gypsum Company Dam, located in Martin, Indiana, was completed in 1954 and stands as an earth dam towering at a height of 13 feet. The dam spans a length of 2000 feet and has a storage capacity of 150 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 123 acre-feet. Situated on an unnamed tributary of Beaver Creek, this dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the area.
Despite its relatively low hazard potential and fair condition assessment, the U.S. Gypsum Company Dam presents a high risk level due to its location and design. With a maximum discharge capacity of 980 cubic feet per second and no spillway, the dam could pose challenges in extreme weather events. Its last inspection in 2019 highlighted the need for continued monitoring and risk management measures to ensure the safety and efficiency of this vital water infrastructure.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, the U.S. Gypsum Company Dam serves as a fascinating case study in dam design and management. With its private ownership and state regulation, this dam showcases the intricate balance between water resource needs, infrastructure safety, and environmental protection. As discussions around climate change and water security intensify, understanding the role of dams like this one becomes increasingly important in ensuring sustainable water management practices for the future.
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 U.S. Gypsum Company Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| East Fork White River At Shoals | 18,100 cfs | → |
| East Fork White River Near Bedford | 12,500 cfs | → |
| Patoka River At Jasper | 675 cfs | → |
| White River At Newberry | 23,000 cfs | → |
| White River Above Petersburg | 1,500 cfs | → |
| Blue River At Fredericksburg | 4,870 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near U.S. Gypsum Company Dam.
Boat launches
- Martin County
- South Co Road 550 West 3941-4299, Paoli
- County Road 1075 West, French Lick
- Indiana 145 7772, French Lick
- Indiana 145 9401-9679, French Lick
- East Lick Fork Marina 10387-10399, Celestine
Campgrounds
- Martin State Forest
- West Boggs Park
- Crane Mwr Military
- Springs Valley Recreation Area
- Springs Valley Rec Area
- Spring Mill State Park
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- State Road 56 Bridge To Forest Purchase Boundary At Roland, In
- State Road 337 Bridge To State Road 56 Bridge At Prospect, In
- Junction Of North/South Forks Of Lost River To State Road 337 Bridge, Approx 4 Miles Southeast Of Orleans, In
- City Limits Of English, In To Carnes Mill Site In Ne1/4ne1/4 Of Sec 13, T3s, R1w
- Carnes Mill Site To 7.65 Miles Above Confluece With Ohio River At Confluence With Turkey Creek
Track U.S. Gypsum Company 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 U.S. Gypsum Company Dam
Where does the data for U.S. Gypsum Company 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 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 U.S. Gypsum Company Dam.