Santa Claus Lake Dam

Spencer, Indiana· Built 1945· Earth· 19 ft tall
Low Hazard Private

Key Takeaway

Santa Claus Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in Indiana. It was completed in 1945 and is 81 years old.

Physical Details

Dam Height 19 ft (taller than 18.8% in IN)
Dam Length458 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage89 acre-ft
Normal Storage31 acre-ft
Surface Area9 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge849 cfs
Year Completed1945 (81 years old)
NID IDIN00417

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: May 20, 1997
State Regulated: No

Ownership

Marlan Maidlow

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Santa Claus Lake Dam?

Santa Claus 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 Santa Claus Lake Dam?

Santa Claus Lake Dam is owned by Marlan Maidlow (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Santa Claus Lake Dam built?

Santa Claus Lake Dam was completed in 1945, making it 81 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

How tall is Santa Claus Lake Dam?

Santa Claus Lake Dam has a dam height of 19 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 Santa Claus Lake Dam last inspected?

Santa Claus Lake Dam was last inspected on May 20, 1997. 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.