Ferdinand Forest Dam L-13 dam
Ferdinand Forest Dam L-13
Located in Saint Meinrad, Indiana, the Ferdinand Forest Dam L-13, also known as Wp & Fpp Structure No. L-13, was completed in 1985 with the primary purpose of flood risk reduction along Hurricane Creek. This earth dam stands at a height of 30 feet and has a length of 420 feet, providing storage capacity of 118 acre-feet for managing floodwaters in the area. The dam is owned by the state of Indiana and regulated by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, ensuring regular inspections and enforcement to maintain its structural integrity.
With a significant hazard potential and fair condition assessment as of August 2012, the Ferdinand Forest Dam L-13 plays a crucial role in mitigating flood risks and protecting the surrounding Dubois County community. The dam has a drainage area of 0.3 square miles and a maximum discharge capacity of 860 cubic feet per second, highlighting its importance in managing excess water flow during heavy rainfall events. Despite not having a spillway, the dam's design and operation are closely monitored to uphold safety standards and prevent potential risks to downstream areas.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will appreciate the strategic location and design of the Ferdinand Forest Dam L-13, which serves as a vital infrastructure for flood control in the region. The dam, constructed by the USDA NRCS, reflects a collaborative effort between federal and state agencies to safeguard against flood hazards and ensure the resilience of the local community. With ongoing inspection and maintenance efforts, the dam continues to fulfill its role in protecting lives and properties from the impacts of extreme weather events, showcasing the importance of effective water resource management in the face of changing climate patterns.
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 Ferdinand Forest Dam L-13 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Middle Fork Anderson River At Bristow | 177 cfs | → |
| Patoka River At Jasper | 567 cfs | → |
| Ohio River At Cannelton Dam At Cannelton | 66,900 cfs | → |
| Patoka River At Winslow | 477 cfs | → |
| East Fork White River At Shoals | 12,100 cfs | → |
| Blue River Near White Cloud | 11,300 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Ferdinand Forest Dam L-13.
Boat launches
- South 600 East 7985, Ferdinand
- East 14th Street 961-999, Ferdinand
- Indiana 164 11146, Celestine
- North 325 East 721, Dubois County
- East Lick Fork Marina 10387-10399, Celestine
- Dubois County
Campgrounds
- Ferdinand State Forest
- Dubois County Park
- North Face Camping
- South Slope Camping
- South Slope Loop
- North Face Loop
Paddle runs
- City Limits Of English, In To Carnes Mill Site In Ne1/4ne1/4 Of Sec 13, T3s, R1w
- Carnes Mill Site To 7.65 Miles Above Confluece With Ohio River At Confluence With Turkey Creek
- State Road 337 Bridge To State Road 56 Bridge At Prospect, In
- State Road 56 Bridge To Forest Purchase Boundary At Roland, In
- Junction Of North/South Forks Of Lost River To State Road 337 Bridge, Approx 4 Miles Southeast Of Orleans, In
Track Ferdinand Forest Dam L-13 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 Ferdinand Forest Dam L-13
Where does the data for Ferdinand Forest Dam L-13 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 Ferdinand Forest Dam L-13.