Potato Creek State Park Dam

POTATO CREEK· St. Joseph, Indiana· Built 1977· Earth· 42 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Potato Creek State Park Dam is classified as high hazard in Indiana. It was completed in 1977 and is 49 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 42 ft (taller than 88.2% in IN)
Dam Length1,500 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage9.0K acre-ft
Normal Storage3.2K acre-ft
Surface Area345 acres
Drainage Area12 sq mi
Max Discharge10,770 cfs
Year Completed1977 (49 years old)
NID IDIN00517

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: June 14, 2018
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: IDNR

Ownership

Jim Webb

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Potato Creek State Park Dam?

Potato Creek State Park 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 Potato Creek State Park Dam?

Potato Creek State Park Dam is owned by Jim Webb (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Potato Creek State Park Dam built?

Potato Creek State Park Dam was completed in 1977, making it 49 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 Potato Creek State Park Dam?

Potato Creek State Park 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 Potato Creek State Park Dam?

Potato Creek State Park Dam has a dam height of 42 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 Potato Creek State Park Dam last inspected?

Potato Creek State Park Dam was last inspected on June 14, 2018. 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.