Salter Lake Dam

EEL RIVER· Owen, Indiana· Built 1973· Earth· 22 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Salter Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in Indiana. It was completed in 1973 and is 53 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 22 ft (taller than 30.9% in IN)
Dam Length450 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage177 acre-ft
Normal Storage137 acre-ft
Surface Area16 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge0 cfs
Year Completed1973 (53 years old)
NID IDIN00718

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: April 12, 2017
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: IDNR

Ownership

BRUCE & ALISON VAN NATTA

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Salter Lake Dam?

Salter 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 Salter Lake Dam?

Salter Lake Dam is owned by BRUCE & ALISON VAN NATTA (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Salter Lake Dam built?

Salter Lake Dam was completed in 1973, making it 53 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 Salter Lake Dam?

Salter 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 Salter Lake Dam?

Salter 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 Salter Lake Dam last inspected?

Salter Lake Dam was last inspected on April 12, 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.