Wildwood Shores Lake Dam dam
Wildwood Shores Lake Dam
Wildwood Shores Lake Dam, also known as Upper Wildwood Lake, is a private dam located in Morgan County, Indiana. Built in 1974 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at 23 feet tall and stretches 330 feet in length. The dam serves primarily for recreational purposes, offering a surface area of 4.4 acres and a maximum storage capacity of 106 acre-feet.
Despite its recreational appeal, Wildwood Shores Lake Dam poses a high hazard potential and has been rated in poor condition as of its last assessment in 2007. With a drainage area of 0.23 square miles and a maximum discharge rate of 33 cubic feet per second, the dam's uncontrolled spillway type raises concerns about its ability to handle extreme weather events. The dam is regulated by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and undergoes inspections every two years to ensure public safety.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Wildwood Shores Lake Dam presents an opportunity to explore the intersection of man-made infrastructure and environmental risk management. As the dam continues to age and face increasing pressure from changing weather patterns, stakeholders must consider potential modifications and mitigation measures to safeguard the surrounding community and preserve the dam's recreational value. By understanding the complexities of dam management and the importance of proactive maintenance, enthusiasts can contribute to the sustainable stewardship of this vital water resource in Indiana.
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 Wildwood Shores Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| White Lick Creek At Mooresville | 1,170 cfs | → |
| Little Buck Creek Near Indianapolis | 11 cfs | → |
| White R. At Stout Gen. Stn. At Indianapolis | 5,820 cfs | → |
| White River Near Centerton | 9,200 cfs | → |
| White River At Indianapolis | 5,090 cfs | → |
| Lick Creek At Indianapolis | 90 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Wildwood Shores Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Henderson Ford Boat Ramp
- North White River Parkway East Drive 2483, Riverside
- Fall Creek Parkway Trail Indianapolis
- County Road 550 South 3427, Franklin
- White River Boat Ramp
- Shoreland Lane 9601, Indianapolis
Track Wildwood Shores 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 Wildwood Shores Lake Dam
Where does the data for Wildwood Shores 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 Wildwood Shores Lake Dam.