Dugan Lake Dam dam
Dugan Lake Dam
Dugan Lake Dam, located in Owen, Indiana, stands as a vital structure serving primarily for recreational purposes. Completed in 1960, this Earth-type dam measures 26 feet in height and spans 212 feet in length, containing a maximum storage capacity of 151 acre-feet. Despite its significant role in providing recreational opportunities and storing water, the dam has been flagged for having a high hazard potential and poor condition assessment, with the last inspection in April 2019 revealing areas in need of improvement.
Situated on an unnamed tributary of Fall Creek, the dam poses a moderate risk (rated 3 out of 5) and lacks detailed risk management measures and inundation maps. The dam's spillway, which is uncontrolled, features a width of 30 feet to manage potential overflow. With a drainage area of 0.4 square miles and a surface area of 4.31 acres, Dugan Lake Dam plays a crucial role in the local ecosystem and water resource management. However, the dam's condition warrants attention and potentially further investment to ensure the safety of surrounding communities and the environment.
Owned privately, the dam falls under the jurisdiction of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and undergoes regular state inspections, permitting, and enforcement. With a hazard potential assessment of high and a risk level deemed moderate, Dugan Lake Dam presents both challenges and opportunities for enhancing its structural integrity and emergency preparedness. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, the ongoing monitoring and maintenance of this dam serve as crucial components in safeguarding its functionality and mitigating potential risks to the surrounding area.
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 Dugan Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mill Creek Near Cataract | 2,480 cfs | → |
| Eel River At Bowling Green | 3,610 cfs | → |
| White River Near Centerton | 9,200 cfs | → |
| White Lick Creek At Mooresville | 1,170 cfs | → |
| North Fork Salt Creek At Nashville | 2,890 cfs | → |
| White River At Newberry | 23,000 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Dugan Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Brann Road Owen County
- Ten High Drive Owen County
- Lake Shore Drive Owen County
- East Stipp Road Monroe County
- I 70 Clay County
- Henderson Ford Boat Ramp
Campgrounds
Track Dugan 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 Dugan Lake Dam
Where does the data for Dugan 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 Dugan Lake Dam.