Minifenokee Lake Dam dam
Minifenokee Lake Dam
Minifenokee Lake Dam, located in Steuben, Indiana, was completed in 1960 and stands at a height of 12.9 feet, serving primarily for recreational purposes such as fish and wildlife pond activities. With a storage capacity of 445 acre-feet and covering a surface area of 34.5 acres, the dam overlooks an unnamed tributary of Follette Creek, providing a serene and picturesque setting for water resource and climate enthusiasts to enjoy.
Despite its low hazard potential, the dam's condition assessment in 2015 revealed poor structural integrity, highlighting the need for maintenance and potential upgrades to ensure its long-term safety and functionality. The dam's emergency action plan and risk management measures are currently under review, as it continues to be regulated and inspected by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources to uphold the safety standards required for its operation. Water resource enthusiasts can appreciate the historic significance and recreational opportunities offered by Minifenokee Lake Dam while advocating for its preservation and upkeep to sustain its environmental and recreational benefits for future generations.
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 Minifenokee Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Pigeon Creek Nr Angola | 104 cfs | → |
| Fish Creek At Hamilton | 22 cfs | → |
| West Branch St. Joseph River Nr Nettle Lake | 87 cfs | → |
| South Branch Hog Creek Near Allen | 57 cfs | → |
| St. Joseph River Near Newville | 440 cfs | → |
| Cedar Creek At 18th Street At Auburn | 47 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Minifenokee Lake Dam.
⚓ Boat launches
- Lane 385 Big Otter Lake Steuben County
- East 700 North 3480, Steuben County
- Lake George, 565 Acres, Branch County
- Ln 340 Jimmerson Lake 500-540, Angola
- Fox Lake Road 1326-1428, Angola
- Coldwater Boat Launch
⛺ Campgrounds
More campgrounds →🎣 Fishing spots
More fishing →Track Minifenokee Lake 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 Minifenokee Lake Dam
Where does the data for Minifenokee Lake 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 Minifenokee Lake Dam.