Depa Dam dam
Depa Dam
Depa Dam, located in Bristol, Indiana, on Sweets Creek, is a privately owned earth dam with a height of 10 feet and a length of 150 feet. Completed in 1960, this dam serves multiple purposes, including flood control and water storage, with a normal storage capacity of 37 acre-feet and a maximum storage capacity of 65 acre-feet. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam is currently in poor condition and has not been inspected since August 1995.
Managed by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, Depa Dam is regulated and permitted by the state, with regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity. The dam's spillway, with a width of 3 feet, is uncontrolled, and the risk assessment categorizes it as moderate. While the dam's emergency action plan and risk management measures are not fully documented, the dam continues to provide essential water resource management functions for the region.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Depa Dam presents an intriguing case study in the challenges of maintaining aging infrastructure to meet modern safety standards. With its historical significance and ongoing regulatory oversight, the dam serves as a reminder of the vital role that dams play in managing water resources and protecting communities from potential hazards. As discussions around climate change and water security continue to evolve, the future of Depa Dam and other similar structures will be closely monitored to ensure their continued safe operation and effective water management.
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 Depa Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| St. Joseph River At Mottville | 2,610 cfs | → |
| St. Joseph River At Elkhart | 4,410 cfs | → |
| Pigeon River Near Scott | 387 cfs | → |
| St. Joseph River At Three Rivers | 2,190 cfs | → |
| Elkhart River At Goshen | 638 cfs | → |
| Prairie River Near Nottawa | 127 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Depa Dam.
Boat launches
- Calvin Township
- North Channel Parkway 68492, Mason Township
- County Line Road 59998, Newberg Township
- County Line Road Fabius Township
- Newberg Township
- Shafer Brothers Road 58679, Fabius
Campgrounds
- Wood Lake Scout Reservation
- Elkhart Co. / Middlebury Koa Holiday
- Elkhart County Fairgrounds
- Nottawa Park
- Cade Lake County Park
- Pigeon River State Fish And Wildlife Area
Fishing spots
Track Depa 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 Depa Dam
Where does the data for Depa 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 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 Depa Dam.