Albin Lake Dam dam
Albin Lake Dam
Albin Lake Dam, also known as Albin Pond Dam, is a privately owned structure located in Putnam, Indiana. Completed in 1937, this earth dam stands at a height of 21 feet and stretches 400 feet in length, creating a reservoir with a storage capacity of 117 acre-feet. The dam serves primarily for recreation purposes, offering visitors a tranquil spot for activities such as fishing and boating on the 6.2-acre surface area of the lake.
Despite its recreational value, Albin Lake Dam poses a high hazard potential due to its poor condition assessment, last conducted in 2004. With a moderate risk rating of 3, the dam is regulated by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), which conducts regular inspections to ensure public safety. The dam is situated on an unnamed tributary of Big Walnut Creek and is managed for flood control purposes, with a maximum discharge capacity of 1,017 cubic feet per second.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts explore the intricate details of Albin Lake Dam, they will find a mix of historical significance and environmental concerns. The dam's location in a beautiful natural setting provides a backdrop for understanding the importance of proper dam maintenance and monitoring in the face of changing climate conditions. With its unique design and purpose, Albin Lake Dam stands as a reminder of the delicate balance between human enjoyment of water resources and the need for sustainable management practices to ensure the safety of communities downstream.
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 Albin Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Plum Creek Near Bainbridge | 12 cfs | → |
| Big Walnut Creek Near Roachdale | 360 cfs | → |
| Big Raccoon Creek Near Fincastle Ind | 240 cfs | → |
| Mill Creek Near Cataract | 1,800 cfs | → |
| Eel River At Bowling Green | 2,600 cfs | → |
| Big Raccoon Creek At Coxville | 713 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Albin Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Lake Shore Drive Owen County
- Ten High Drive Owen County
- Brann Road Owen County
- Small Mouth Run Trail Hendricks County
- Marshall Road Rockville
- I 70 Clay County
Track Albin 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 Albin Lake Dam
Where does the data for Albin 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 Albin Lake Dam.