Old Timbers Lake

Little Otter Creek· Ripley, Indiana· Built 1974· Earth· 53 ft tall
High Hazard Fish And Wildlife Pond Recreation Federal Government

Key Takeaway

Old Timbers Lake is classified as high hazard in Indiana. It was completed in 1974 and is 52 years old. Its primary use is fish and wildlife pond. 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 53 ft (taller than 94.6% in IN)
Dam Length770 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage5.0K acre-ft
Normal Storage2.3K acre-ft
Surface Area165 acres
Drainage Area5 sq mi
Year Completed1974 (52 years old)
NID IDIN03556

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: October 6, 2017
State Regulated: No

Ownership

Jefferson Proving Ground

Federal Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Old Timbers Lake?

Old Timbers Lake 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 Old Timbers Lake?

Old Timbers Lake is owned by Jefferson Proving Ground (Federal Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Old Timbers Lake built?

Old Timbers Lake was completed in 1974, making it 52 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 Old Timbers Lake?

Old Timbers Lake serves the following purposes: Fish And Wildlife Pond, Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Old Timbers Lake?

Old Timbers Lake has a dam height of 53 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 Old Timbers Lake last inspected?

Old Timbers Lake was last inspected on October 6, 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.