Idlewild Lake Dam

PATOKA RIVER· Dubois, Indiana· Built 1940· Earth· 22 ft tall
Significant Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Idlewild Lake Dam is classified as significant hazard in Indiana. It was completed in 1940 and is 86 years old. Its primary use is recreation. Significant hazard means failure could cause economic or environmental damage. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 22 ft (taller than 30.9% in IN)
Dam Length520 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage113 acre-ft
Normal Storage80 acre-ft
Surface Area12 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge469 cfs
Year Completed1940 (86 years old)
NID IDIN00135

Safety Information

Significant Hazard

No probable loss of human life, but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, or disruption of lifeline facilities.

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

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: January 29, 2019
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: IDNR

Ownership

IDLEWILD LAKE INCORPORATED

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Idlewild Lake Dam?

Idlewild Lake Dam is classified as Significant Hazard. No probable loss of human life, but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, or disruption of lifeline facilities. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Idlewild Lake Dam?

Idlewild Lake Dam is owned by IDLEWILD LAKE INCORPORATED (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Idlewild Lake Dam built?

Idlewild Lake Dam was completed in 1940, making it 86 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 Idlewild Lake Dam?

Idlewild 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 Idlewild Lake Dam?

Idlewild Lake Dam has a dam height of 22 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 Idlewild Lake Dam last inspected?

Idlewild Lake Dam was last inspected on January 29, 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.