Prairie Creek Reservoir Dam

PRAIRIE CREEK· Delaware, Indiana· Built 1959· Earth· 47 ft tall
High Hazard Other Water Supply Public Utility

Key Takeaway

Prairie Creek Reservoir Dam is classified as high hazard in Indiana. It was completed in 1959 and is 67 years old. Its primary use is other. 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 47 ft (taller than 91.8% in IN)
Dam Length3,100 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage36.7K acre-ft
Normal Storage22.0K acre-ft
Surface Area1,275 acres
Drainage Area17 sq mi
Max Discharge14,597 cfs
Year Completed1959 (67 years old)
NID IDIN00038

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: September 4, 2019
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: IDNR

Ownership

Indiana-American Water Co Inc

Public Utility

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Prairie Creek Reservoir Dam?

Prairie Creek Reservoir 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 Prairie Creek Reservoir Dam?

Prairie Creek Reservoir Dam is owned by Indiana-American Water Co Inc (Public Utility). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Prairie Creek Reservoir Dam built?

Prairie Creek Reservoir Dam was completed in 1959, making it 67 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 Prairie Creek Reservoir Dam?

Prairie Creek Reservoir Dam serves the following purposes: Other, Water Supply. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Prairie Creek Reservoir Dam?

Prairie Creek Reservoir Dam has a dam height of 47 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 Prairie Creek Reservoir Dam last inspected?

Prairie Creek Reservoir Dam was last inspected on September 4, 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.