Happy Hollow Lake Dam

UNNAMED TRIBUTARY MIDDLE FORK SALT CREEK· Brown, Indiana· Built 1952· Earth· 38 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Happy Hollow Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in Indiana. It was completed in 1952 and is 74 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 38 ft (taller than 82.5% in IN)
Dam Length450 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage235 acre-ft
Normal Storage117 acre-ft
Surface Area16 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge776 cfs
Year Completed1952 (74 years old)
NID IDIN00011

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

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

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: July 30, 2015
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: IDNR

Ownership

HAPPY HOLLOW CHILDRENS CAMP

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Happy Hollow Lake Dam?

Happy Hollow Lake Dam is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Happy Hollow Lake Dam?

Happy Hollow Lake Dam is owned by HAPPY HOLLOW CHILDRENS CAMP (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Happy Hollow Lake Dam built?

Happy Hollow Lake Dam was completed in 1952, making it 74 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 Happy Hollow Lake Dam?

Happy Hollow 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 Happy Hollow Lake Dam?

Happy Hollow Lake Dam has a dam height of 38 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 Happy Hollow Lake Dam last inspected?

Happy Hollow Lake Dam was last inspected on July 30, 2015. 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.