Wasatch Lake Dam dam
Wasatch Lake Dam
Wasatch Lake Dam, located in Owen County, Indiana, is a privately owned structure that serves as a recreational site for water resource and climate enthusiasts. Completed in 1952, this earth dam stands at 18 feet high and spans 175 feet in length, creating a reservoir with a storage capacity of 339 acre-feet. Despite its relatively low hazard potential and fair condition assessment, the dam is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources to ensure public safety and proper maintenance.
Situated on King Creek, the dam's primary purpose is for recreation, offering a surface area of 32 acres for activities such as fishing, boating, and wildlife observation. With a drainage area of 2.1 square miles and a maximum discharge capacity of 1477 cubic feet per second, the dam provides both ecological benefits and flood control measures for the surrounding area. While lacking a spillway, the dam is equipped with outlet gates and undergoes regular inspections every five years to assess its structural integrity and risk management measures.
Despite its age, the Wasatch Lake Dam continues to be a beloved destination for outdoor enthusiasts in Indiana, providing a tranquil setting for relaxation and exploration. With its historical significance and ecological importance, the dam stands as a testament to the enduring value of water resources in the face of changing climates and increasing environmental concerns.
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 Wasatch Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Eel River At Bowling Green | 1,190 cfs | → |
| Mill Creek Near Cataract | 175 cfs | → |
| Plum Creek Near Bainbridge | 14 cfs | → |
| Big Raccoon Creek At Coxville | 527 cfs | → |
| White River Near Centerton | 2,600 cfs | → |
| Big Raccoon Creek Near Fincastle Ind | 151 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Wasatch Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Ten High Drive Owen County
- Brann Road Owen County
- Lake Shore Drive Owen County
- I 70 Clay County
- 625 North Greene County
- Henderson Ford Boat Ramp
Track Wasatch 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 Wasatch Lake Dam
Where does the data for Wasatch 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 Wasatch Lake Dam.