Roark Lake Dam

UNNAMED TRIBUTARY BEAR CREEK· Brown, Indiana· Built 1969· Earth· 36 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Roark Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in Indiana. It was completed in 1969 and is 57 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 36 ft (taller than 79.8% in IN)
Dam Length500 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage75 acre-ft
Normal Storage43 acre-ft
Surface Area7 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge156 cfs
Year Completed1969 (57 years old)
NID IDIN00563

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: October 28, 2020
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: IDNR

Ownership

JOHN ROARK

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Roark Lake Dam?

Roark 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 Roark Lake Dam?

Roark Lake Dam is owned by JOHN ROARK (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Roark Lake Dam built?

Roark Lake Dam was completed in 1969, making it 57 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 Roark Lake Dam?

Roark 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 Roark Lake Dam?

Roark Lake Dam has a dam height of 36 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 Roark Lake Dam last inspected?

Roark Lake Dam was last inspected on October 28, 2020. 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.