Idle Hour Lake

ANDERSON RIVER· Dubois, Indiana· Built 1942· Earth· 29 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Idle Hour Lake is classified as low hazard in Indiana. It was completed in 1942 and is 84 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 29 ft (taller than 59.3% in IN)
Dam Length375 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage32 acre-ft
Normal Storage26 acre-ft
Surface Area3 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge52 cfs
Year Completed1942 (84 years old)
NID IDIN00304

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: May 1, 2015
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: IDNR

Ownership

Jake Borden

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Idle Hour Lake?

Idle Hour Lake 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 Idle Hour Lake?

Idle Hour Lake is owned by Jake Borden (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Idle Hour Lake built?

Idle Hour Lake was completed in 1942, making it 84 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 Idle Hour Lake?

Idle Hour Lake 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 Idle Hour Lake?

Idle Hour Lake has a dam height of 29 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 Idle Hour Lake last inspected?

Idle Hour Lake was last inspected on May 1, 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.