Cedarville Dam

ST. JOSEPH RIVER· Allen, Indiana· Built 1953· Earth· 27 ft tall
High Hazard Water Supply Recreation Public Utility

Key Takeaway

Cedarville Dam is classified as high hazard in Indiana. It was completed in 1953 and is 73 years old. Its primary use is water supply. 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 27 ft (taller than 51.4% in IN)
Dam Length1,900 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage7.8K acre-ft
Normal Storage600 acre-ft
Surface Area460 acres
Drainage Area763 sq mi
Max Discharge85,000 cfs
Year Completed1953 (73 years old)
NID IDIN00012

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: Yes
Last Inspection: October 23, 2018
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: IDNR

Ownership

CITY OF FORT WAYNE - UTILITIES ENGINEERING

Public Utility

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Cedarville Dam?

Cedarville 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 Cedarville Dam?

Cedarville Dam is owned by CITY OF FORT WAYNE - UTILITIES ENGINEERING (Public Utility). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Cedarville Dam built?

Cedarville Dam was completed in 1953, making it 73 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 Cedarville Dam?

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

How tall is Cedarville Dam?

Cedarville Dam has a dam height of 27 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 Cedarville Dam last inspected?

Cedarville Dam was last inspected on October 23, 2018. 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.