Kess Lake Dam

Dearborn, Indiana· Built 1981· Earth· 28 ft tall
Low Hazard Private

Key Takeaway

Kess Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in Indiana. It was completed in 1981 and is 45 years old.

Physical Details

Dam Height 28 ft (taller than 55.1% in IN)
Dam Length217 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage61 acre-ft
Normal Storage28 acre-ft
Surface Area4 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge950 cfs
Year Completed1981 (45 years old)
NID IDIN03422

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 16, 1995
State Regulated: No

Ownership

Gwen Johnson

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Kess Lake Dam?

Kess 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 Kess Lake Dam?

Kess Lake Dam is owned by Gwen Johnson (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Kess Lake Dam built?

Kess Lake Dam was completed in 1981, making it 45 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

How tall is Kess Lake Dam?

Kess Lake Dam has a dam height of 28 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 Kess Lake Dam last inspected?

Kess Lake Dam was last inspected on May 16, 1995. 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.