Van Bibber Dam

LITTLE WALNUT CREEK· Putnam, Indiana· Built 1964· Earth· 30 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Van Bibber Dam is classified as low hazard in Indiana. It was completed in 1964 and is 62 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 30 ft (taller than 62.3% in IN)
Dam Length444 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage124 acre-ft
Normal Storage83 acre-ft
Surface Area11 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge265 cfs
Year Completed1964 (62 years old)
NID IDIN00094

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: July 26, 2019
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: IDNR

Ownership

VAN BIBBER LAKE CONSERVANCY DISTRICT

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Van Bibber Dam?

Van Bibber 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 Van Bibber Dam?

Van Bibber Dam is owned by VAN BIBBER LAKE CONSERVANCY DISTRICT (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Van Bibber Dam built?

Van Bibber Dam was completed in 1964, making it 62 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 Van Bibber Dam?

Van Bibber 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 Van Bibber Dam?

Van Bibber 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 Van Bibber Dam last inspected?

Van Bibber Dam was last inspected on July 26, 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.