Lake Barbara Dam dam
Lake Barbara Dam
Lake Barbara Dam, located in Noble, Indiana, was completed in 1979 and serves as a vital recreational resource in the area. With a dam height of 15 feet and a length of 225 feet, the earth dam provides a storage capacity of 886 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 84 acres. The dam is situated on an unnamed tributary of the South Branch Elkhart River, contributing to its significance as a water resource for the region.
Despite its importance for recreation, the dam is categorized as having a significant hazard potential and a poor condition assessment. The last inspection in July 2020 revealed the need for improvement, with a high risk assessment rating of 2. While the dam is state-regulated and inspected, there are concerns about its safety and the need for proper risk management measures to be implemented to address any potential issues that may arise.
As a private-owned structure, Lake Barbara Dam plays a crucial role in providing recreational opportunities for the community while also highlighting the importance of proper maintenance and risk management to ensure the safety and longevity of the dam for future generations. With its scenic location and significant storage capacity, the dam serves as a valuable asset for water resource and climate enthusiasts in the region.
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 Lake Barbara Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Nb Elkhart River At Cosperville | 151 cfs | → |
| Tippecanoe River At North Webster | 24 cfs | → |
| Tippecanoe River At Oswego | 92 cfs | → |
| Cedar Creek At 18th Street At Auburn | 43 cfs | → |
| Cedar Creek Near Cedarville | 157 cfs | → |
| St. Joseph River Near Fort Wayne | 1,340 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Barbara Dam.
Boat launches
- 4 Noble County
- South Woodstrail Road Dr-57 5609, Albion
- West Lakeshore Dr-57 3511, Columbia City
- South 850 West 2727, Kimmell
- South Lakeshore Drive 501-699, Kimmell
- North 125 West 9707-9787, Rome City
Campgrounds
- Chain Olakes State Park
- Hidden Diamonds City Park
- Harper Lake Campsite
- Bixler Lake City Campground
- Pike Lake County Campground
- Kosciusko County Fairgrounds
Fishing spots
Track Lake Barbara 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 Lake Barbara Dam
Where does the data for Lake Barbara 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 Lake Barbara Dam.