Rich Lake Dam dam
Rich Lake Dam
Rich Lake Dam, located in Allen County, Indiana, is a significant earth dam completed in 1970 with a primary purpose of recreation. Standing at a height of 16 feet and a length of 245 feet, the dam boasts a storage capacity of 155 acre-feet and a surface area of 16.9 acres. The dam regulates an unnamed tributary and the Hamm Interceptor Ditch, providing essential water resources for the surrounding area.
Despite its recreational value, Rich Lake Dam is currently rated as having a poor condition assessment and a significant hazard potential. The dam is inspected every three years, with the last inspection conducted in January 2021. The risk assessment for the dam is moderate, indicating a potential for safety concerns that require management measures to be put in place.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, it is important to monitor and address the condition of dams like Rich Lake Dam to ensure the safety and sustainability of water resources in the area. With proper maintenance and risk management measures, this dam can continue to serve its recreational purpose while safeguarding the surrounding environment and communities from potential hazards.
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 Rich Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Maumee River At Antwerp Oh | 2,610 cfs | → |
| St. Joseph River Near Newville | 234 cfs | → |
| Cedar Creek Near Cedarville | 64 cfs | → |
| St. Joseph River Near Fort Wayne | 1,120 cfs | → |
| Unnamed Tributary To Lost Creek Near Farmers Oh | 0 cfs | → |
| Cedar Creek At 18th Street At Auburn | 23 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Rich Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- County Road 63 Saint Joe
- Hurshtown Reservoir
- Grabill Road 10943-10999, Leo-Cedarville
- Mayhew Road 8946, Allen County
- Maumee Dam Public Access Site
- Guldlin Park
Campgrounds
- Johnny Appleseed Park
- Bixler Lake City Campground
- Chain Olakes State Park
- Steuben County Park
- Hidden Diamonds City Park
Fishing spots
Track Rich 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 Rich Lake Dam
Where does the data for Rich 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 Significant 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 Rich Lake Dam.