Chinook Mine Dam No. 5-A dam
Chinook Mine Dam No. 5-A
Chinook Mine Dam No. 5-A, located in Vigo County, Indiana, was completed in 1981 and serves primarily for recreational purposes. This private-owned earth dam stands at a height of 24 feet and stretches 300 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 168 acre-feet. Although the dam has a low hazard potential, its condition assessment is currently labeled as "Not Rated", with the last inspection conducted in August 1995.
Despite not being regulated by the state, Chinook Mine Dam No. 5-A presents an intriguing site for water resource and climate enthusiasts due to its unique design and purpose. The dam's location amidst the picturesque surroundings of Indiana offers a serene setting for recreational activities, attracting visitors with its surface area of 7 acres and a maximum discharge of 130 cubic feet per second. While the dam's risk management measures and emergency preparedness status remain unclear, the structure's historical significance and impact on the local ecosystem warrant further exploration and study.
As a focal point for water-based activities and ecological considerations, Chinook Mine Dam No. 5-A stands as a testament to human interaction with natural resources. Although its current condition assessment may be lacking, the dam's role in providing recreational opportunities and potential risks associated with its operation invite a closer examination of its environmental footprint and long-term sustainability. With its rich history and potential implications for climate resilience, this dam serves as a compelling site for research and discussion among water resource and climate enthusiasts seeking to understand the intersection of human infrastructure and natural landscapes.
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 Chinook Mine Dam No. 5-A -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Wabash River At Terre Haute | 12,400 cfs | → |
| Eel River At Bowling Green | 3,610 cfs | → |
| Big Raccoon Creek At Coxville | 956 cfs | → |
| Mill Creek Near Cataract | 2,480 cfs | → |
| Wabash River At Montezuma | 10,000 cfs | → |
| Busseron Creek Near Carlisle | 1,740 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Chinook Mine Dam No. 5-A.
Boat launches
- I 70 Clay County
- Blackman Street, Clinton
- Apple Street Darwin
- Ten High Drive Owen County
- Brann Road Owen County
- Lake Shore Drive Owen County
Track Chinook Mine Dam No. 5-A 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 Chinook Mine Dam No. 5-A
Where does the data for Chinook Mine Dam No. 5-A 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 Low 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 Chinook Mine Dam No. 5-A.