Tipton Lake West Dam

DENIOS CREEK· Bartholomew, Indiana· Built 1982· Earth· 30 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Tipton Lake West Dam is classified as high hazard in Indiana. It was completed in 1982 and is 44 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 30 ft (taller than 62.3% in IN)
Dam Length795 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage1.4K acre-ft
Normal Storage1.1K acre-ft
Surface Area115 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge1,582 cfs
Year Completed1982 (44 years old)
NID IDIN03740

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 13, 2019
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: IDNR

Ownership

TIPTON LAKES COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Tipton Lake West Dam?

Tipton Lake West 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 Tipton Lake West Dam?

Tipton Lake West Dam is owned by TIPTON LAKES COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Tipton Lake West Dam built?

Tipton Lake West Dam was completed in 1982, making it 44 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 Tipton Lake West Dam?

Tipton Lake West 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 Tipton Lake West Dam?

Tipton Lake West Dam has a dam height of 30 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 Tipton Lake West Dam last inspected?

Tipton Lake West Dam was last inspected on September 13, 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.