Watanabe Upper Lake Dam

UNNAMED TRIBUTARY GNAW BONE CREEK· Brown, Indiana· Built 2003· Earth· 42 ft tall
Significant Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Watanabe Upper Lake Dam is classified as significant hazard in Indiana. It was completed in 2003 and is 23 years old. Its primary use is recreation. Significant hazard means failure could cause economic or environmental damage. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 42 ft (taller than 88.2% in IN)
Dam Length313 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage99 acre-ft
Normal Storage58 acre-ft
Surface Area6 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge778 cfs
Year Completed2003 (23 years old)
NID IDIN04006

Safety Information

Significant Hazard

No probable loss of human life, but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, or disruption of lifeline facilities.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: March 20, 2018
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: IDNR

Ownership

ADLAI CHESTER

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Watanabe Upper Lake Dam?

Watanabe Upper Lake Dam is classified as Significant Hazard. No probable loss of human life, but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, or disruption of lifeline facilities. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Watanabe Upper Lake Dam?

Watanabe Upper Lake Dam is owned by ADLAI CHESTER (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Watanabe Upper Lake Dam built?

Watanabe Upper Lake Dam was completed in 2003, making it 23 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 Watanabe Upper Lake Dam?

Watanabe Upper 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 Watanabe Upper Lake Dam?

Watanabe Upper Lake Dam has a dam height of 42 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 Watanabe Upper Lake Dam last inspected?

Watanabe Upper Lake Dam was last inspected on March 20, 2018. 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.