Upper Big Blue River Structure No. 18

UNNAMED TRIBUTARY BIG BLUE RIVER· Henry, Indiana· Built 1994· Earth· 45 ft tall
High Hazard Flood Risk Reduction Local Government

Key Takeaway

Upper Big Blue River Structure No. 18 is classified as high hazard in Indiana. It was completed in 1994 and is 32 years old. Its primary use is flood risk reduction. 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 45 ft (taller than 90.7% in IN)
Dam Length875 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage2.4K acre-ft
Normal Storage122 acre-ft
Surface Area24 acres
Drainage Area3 sq mi
Max Discharge0 cfs
Year Completed1994 (32 years old)
NID IDIN03930

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: No
Last Inspection: October 13, 2020
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: IDNR

Ownership

UPPER BIG BLUE CONSERVANCY DISTRICT

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Upper Big Blue River Structure No. 18?

Upper Big Blue River Structure No. 18 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 Upper Big Blue River Structure No. 18?

Upper Big Blue River Structure No. 18 is owned by UPPER BIG BLUE CONSERVANCY DISTRICT (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Upper Big Blue River Structure No. 18 built?

Upper Big Blue River Structure No. 18 was completed in 1994, making it 32 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 Upper Big Blue River Structure No. 18?

Upper Big Blue River Structure No. 18 serves the following purposes: Flood Risk Reduction. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Upper Big Blue River Structure No. 18?

Upper Big Blue River Structure No. 18 has a dam height of 45 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 Upper Big Blue River Structure No. 18 last inspected?

Upper Big Blue River Structure No. 18 was last inspected on October 13, 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.