Koontz Lake Dam

LAWRENCE PONTIUS DITCH· Starke, Indiana· Built 1849· Concrete· 22 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Koontz Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in Indiana. It was completed in 1849 and is 177 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 22 ft (taller than 30.9% in IN)
Dam Length271 ft
Dam TypeConcrete
Max Storage4.8K acre-ft
Normal Storage3.0K acre-ft
Surface Area324 acres
Drainage Area6 sq mi
Max Discharge210 cfs
Year Completed1849 (177 years old)
NID IDIN00782

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: Yes
Last Inspection: November 29, 2017
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: IDNR

Ownership

DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Koontz Lake Dam?

Koontz 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 Koontz Lake Dam?

Koontz Lake Dam is owned by DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Koontz Lake Dam built?

Koontz Lake Dam was completed in 1849, making it 177 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 Koontz Lake Dam?

Koontz 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 Koontz Lake Dam?

Koontz 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 Koontz Lake Dam last inspected?

Koontz Lake Dam was last inspected on November 29, 2017. 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.