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Independent regulatory commissions

NIPSCO Reports Oakdale Dam Flood Gate Failure Incident

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

On July 7, 2025, at 12:19 AM ET, Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO) personnel at the Norway Hydro in Monticello, Indiana, discovered a flood gate failure at the Oakdale Dam. The failure of Flood Gate 1 occurred during movement adjustment for flow rates, leaving the dam without a functioning flood gate due to the construction of Flood Gate 2 at the time. NIPSCO staff quickly responded to the issue by redirecting resources to restore Flood Gate 1 to service. An investigation revealed that the worm gear inside the actuator experienced a catastrophic failure, prompting the removal and expedited repair of the actuator. The actuator was reinstalled on July 11, 2025, and flood gate testing resumed on July 12, 2025, with Flood Gate 1 returning to operational status by 2:30 PM that day.

Key Takeaways:

  • On July 7, 2025, at 12:19 AM ET, NIPSCO personnel detected a flood gate failure at Oakdale Dam's Flood Gate 1 due to a catastrophic failure of the worm gear inside the actuator.
  • The failure left the dam without a functioning flood gate, as Flood Gate 2 was under construction at the time.
  • NIPSCO staff promptly responded to the incident by reassigning resources to repair the actuator and restore Flood Gate 1 to operational status.
  • The actuator was removed from the superstructure on July 8, 2025, at 11:45 AM and was expedited for repair.
  • The actuator returned to the Oakdale Dam site on July 11, 2025, and was reinstalled in Flood Gate 1 by approximately 3:30 PM.
  • Flood gate testing began on July 12, 2025, at roughly 11:00 AM and concluded at 2:30 PM on the same day, with Flood Gate 1 returning to operational status.
  • Chris Springer, NIPSCO's Chief Dam Safety Coordinator, ensured a swift response to the incident, facilitating open communication and transparency.
  • NIPSCO's prompt response and handling of the incident demonstrate the company's commitment to dam safety and customer service.

Statistics:

  • Date of flood gate failure: July 7, 2025
  • Time of flood gate failure: 12:19 AM ET
  • Time of actuator removal: July 8, 2025, at 11:45 AM
  • Date of actuator return: July 11, 2025
  • Time of actuator reinstallation: approximately 3:30 PM, July 11, 2025
  • Date of flood gate testing: July 12, 2025
  • Time of flood gate testing: 11:00 AM - 2:30 PM, July 12, 2025

Sources:

  • NIPSCO (Northern Indiana Public Service Company LLC) - Incident Report for Oakdale Flood Gate (submitted to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission)
  • Chris Springer, NIPSCO's Chief Dam Safety Coordinator - Letter to Mr. Kevin Griebenow, Regional Engineer, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (July 7, 2025)

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