Christmas Lake Dam
Key Takeaway
Christmas Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in Indiana. It was completed in 1967 and is 59 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 | 42 ft (taller than 88.2% in IN) |
| Dam Length | 1,750 ft |
| Dam Type | Earth |
| Max Storage | 4.5K acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 2.3K acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 200 acres |
| Drainage Area | 3 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 9,400 cfs |
| Year Completed | 1967 (59 years old) |
| NID ID | IN00144 |
Safety Information
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?
Ownership
CHRISTMAS LAKE PROPERTIES ASSOCIATION, INC.
Private
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Low Hazard 25 ftFrequently Asked Questions
What is the hazard classification of Christmas Lake Dam?
Christmas 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 Christmas Lake Dam?
Christmas Lake Dam is owned by CHRISTMAS LAKE PROPERTIES ASSOCIATION, INC. (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.
When was Christmas Lake Dam built?
Christmas Lake Dam was completed in 1967, making it 59 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 Christmas Lake Dam?
Christmas 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 Christmas Lake Dam?
Christmas Lake Dam has a dam height of 42 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 Christmas Lake Dam last inspected?
Christmas Lake Dam was last inspected on August 24, 2018. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.