Dean Gifford Pond dam
Dean Gifford Pond
Dean Gifford Pond, located in Urbana, Indiana, is a privately owned water resource designed by USDA NRCS for recreational purposes. Built in 1974, this earth dam stands at a height of 14 feet and spans 1800 feet, with a storage capacity of 230 acre-feet and a surface area of 28 acres. The pond is regulated by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and undergoes regular inspections, with the latest assessment in October 2020 revealing poor condition and a significant hazard potential.
Despite its recreational use, Dean Gifford Pond faces moderate risks due to its poor condition and significant hazard potential. The dam's spillway type is uncontrolled, with a width of 30 feet, and a maximum discharge capacity of 570 cubic feet per second. The surrounding area, situated in the Wabash County of Indiana, is home to the Keafaber Ditch and operated as a private entity. Additionally, the dam's emergency action plan and risk management measures are not detailed, suggesting a need for further assessment and improvement to protect both the dam structure and the local community from potential hazards.
Overall, Dean Gifford Pond serves as both a recreational site and an important water resource in Indiana. With its unique design by USDA NRCS and its significant hazard potential, the pond highlights the importance of proper maintenance and risk assessment for dam structures. As climate change continues to impact water resources, efforts to ensure the safety and sustainability of Dean Gifford Pond are crucial for the surrounding community and 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 Dean Gifford Pond -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Eel River At North Manchester | 297 cfs | → |
| Wabash River At Wabash | 1,310 cfs | → |
| Little River Near Huntington | 1,170 cfs | → |
| Wabash River At Peru | 2,310 cfs | → |
| Salamonie River Near Warren | 235 cfs | → |
| Mississinewa River At Marion | 558 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Dean Gifford Pond.
Boat launches
- North 200 West 10006, North Manchester
- North 325 East 13776, North Manchester
- Knight Road, Lagro
- County Road 250 South 6324-6398, Lagro
- Tree Trail, Andrews
- Bloodroot Trail, Andrews
Campgrounds
- Wabash River Camp
- Wabash City Rv Park
- Lost Bridge State Rec Area - Salamonie Lake
- Salamonie State Lake - Lost Bridge West Sra
- Mt. Etna State Rec Area
- Lake Clare Park Camp
Fishing spots
Track Dean Gifford Pond 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 Dean Gifford Pond
Where does the data for Dean Gifford Pond 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 Dean Gifford Pond.