Wildwood Lake Dam No. 1 dam
Wildwood Lake Dam No. 1
Wildwood Lake Dam No. 1, located in Putnam, Indiana, is a privately owned earth dam completed in 1975 for recreational purposes. With a height of 21.5 feet and a hydraulic height of 27 feet, this dam creates a surface area of 2.2 acres and has a drainage area of 0.11 square miles. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam's condition assessment in 2014 was deemed unsatisfactory, highlighting the need for further inspection and potential maintenance.
The dam's primary purpose is for recreation, and it impounds a maximum storage of 24 acre-feet, with normal storage at 17 acre-feet. The dam is associated with an unnamed tributary of Deer Creek and is regulated by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. Although there are no outlet gates or locks associated with the structure, the spillway type is uncontrolled. The last inspection in 2014 revealed a moderate risk level, indicating the importance of ongoing risk management and potential updates to the emergency action plan in order to ensure the safety and integrity of the dam.
While Wildwood Lake Dam No. 1 provides recreational opportunities for visitors, its condition assessment and risk level signal the importance of continued monitoring and maintenance. With a history dating back to 1975, this earth dam serves as a vital resource within the local water infrastructure, requiring attention to ensure its long-term sustainability and safety for both the surrounding community and the environment.
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 Wildwood Lake Dam No. 1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mill Creek Near Cataract | 1,800 cfs | → |
| Plum Creek Near Bainbridge | 12 cfs | → |
| Big Walnut Creek Near Roachdale | 360 cfs | → |
| Big Raccoon Creek Near Fincastle Ind | 240 cfs | → |
| Eel River At Bowling Green | 2,600 cfs | → |
| White River Near Centerton | 9,680 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Wildwood Lake Dam No. 1.
Boat launches
- Lake Shore Drive Owen County
- Ten High Drive Owen County
- Brann Road Owen County
- Small Mouth Run Trail Hendricks County
- I 70 Clay County
- Henderson Ford Boat Ramp
Track Wildwood Lake Dam No. 1 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 Wildwood Lake Dam No. 1
Where does the data for Wildwood Lake Dam No. 1 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 Wildwood Lake Dam No. 1.