Dale Lake Dam

UNNAMED TRIBUTARY LITTLE PIGEON CREEK· Spencer, Indiana· Built 1957· Earth· 40 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Fish And Wildlife Pond Local Government

Key Takeaway

Dale Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in Indiana. It was completed in 1957 and is 69 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 Length565 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage507 acre-ft
Normal Storage314 acre-ft
Surface Area39 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge6,363 cfs
Year Completed1957 (69 years old)
NID IDIN00414

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: February 21, 2019
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: IDNR

Ownership

TOWN OF DALE

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Dale Lake Dam?

Dale 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 Dale Lake Dam?

Dale Lake Dam is owned by TOWN OF DALE (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Dale Lake Dam built?

Dale Lake Dam was completed in 1957, making it 69 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 Dale Lake Dam?

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

How tall is Dale Lake Dam?

Dale 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 Dale Lake Dam last inspected?

Dale Lake Dam was last inspected on February 21, 2019. 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.