Bittner Lake Dam

UNNAMED TRIBUTARY MAIDLOW DITCH· Vanderburgh, Indiana· Built 1956· Earth· 24 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Bittner Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in Indiana. It was completed in 1956 and is 70 years old. Its primary use is recreation. High hazard means loss of life is likely if the dam fails — it does not indicate the dam's current condition. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 24 ft (taller than 38.5% in IN)
Dam Length350 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage76 acre-ft
Normal Storage64 acre-ft
Surface Area5 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge50 cfs
Year Completed1956 (70 years old)
NID IDIN00656

Safety Information

High Hazard

Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: January 10, 2002
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: IDNR

Ownership

Cletus Edna Bittner

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Bittner Lake Dam?

Bittner Lake Dam is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Bittner Lake Dam?

Bittner Lake Dam is owned by Cletus Edna Bittner (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Bittner Lake Dam built?

Bittner Lake Dam was completed in 1956, making it 70 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

What is the primary purpose of Bittner Lake Dam?

Bittner Lake Dam serves the following purposes: Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Bittner Lake Dam?

Bittner Lake Dam has a dam height of 24 ft. Dam height is measured from the natural streambed at the downstream toe to the top of the dam, and may differ from the visible height.

When was Bittner Lake Dam last inspected?

Bittner Lake Dam was last inspected on January 10, 2002. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.

Data from the National Inventory of Dams (NID) maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Dam conditions may have changed since the last update. This site is not affiliated with USACE. Do not use for emergency planning — contact your local dam safety program.