Elk Creek Dam No. 1
Elk Creek Dam No. 1 is an earth dam located in Washington County, Indiana, built in 1960. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Elk Creek Dam No. 1
The primary purpose of Elk Creek Dam No. 1 is flood risk reduction. The dam is designed to control downstream flooding by temporarily storing excess water during storms and releasing it at a controlled rate. The dam is owned by Elk Creek Conservancy District (local government). It impounds the Unnamed Tributary Elk Creek near Pumpkin Center.
The dam stands 31 feet tall and stretches 600 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 3 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 213 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1 square miles. Completed in 1960, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.
This dam has a significant hazard potential classification, meaning that a failure could cause significant economic damage — flooding roads, bridges, or property downstream — but is not expected to result in loss of life. Its condition is rated fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. The most recent inspection on record was 01/31/2017.
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Location
| State | Indiana |
| County | Washington |
| Nearest City | Pumpkin Center |
| River/Stream | Unnamed Tributary Elk Creek |
| Coordinates | 38.67796, -85.96423 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 31 ft |
| Dam Height | 31 ft |
| Dam Length | 600 ft |
| Year Completed | 1960 (66 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 213 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 213 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 7 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 3 acres |
| Drainage Area | 1 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 3,280 cfs |
| Spillway Type | None |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | ELK CREEK CONSERVANCY DISTRICT |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 01/31/2017 |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | IN00052 |
| Federal ID | IN00052 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |