Crystal Lake Dam

UNNAMED TRIBUTARY SOUTH FORK BLUE RIVER· Washington, Indiana· Built 1995· Earth· 40 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Crystal Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in Indiana. It was completed in 1995 and is 31 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 40 ft (taller than 84.8% in IN)
Dam Length700 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage425 acre-ft
Normal Storage260 acre-ft
Surface Area25 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge0 cfs
Year Completed1995 (31 years old)
NID IDIN03927

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: December 30, 2016
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: IDNR

Ownership

PAUL AND FRANCES ERNSTBERGER

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Crystal Lake Dam?

Crystal 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 Crystal Lake Dam?

Crystal Lake Dam is owned by PAUL AND FRANCES ERNSTBERGER (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Crystal Lake Dam built?

Crystal Lake Dam was completed in 1995, making it 31 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 Crystal Lake Dam?

Crystal 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 Crystal Lake Dam?

Crystal Lake Dam has a dam height of 40 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 Crystal Lake Dam last inspected?

Crystal Lake Dam was last inspected on December 30, 2016. 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.