Berry Farm Lake Dam

Berry Farm Lake Dam is an earth dam located in Brown County, Indiana, built in 1965. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.

About Berry Farm Lake Dam

The primary purpose of Berry Farm Lake Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Bradley D And Zelma A Hirst (private). It impounds the Green Valley Creek.

The dam stands 36 feet tall and stretches 330 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 13 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 375 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1 square miles. Completed in 1965, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.

This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. Its condition is rated fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 07/10/2020.

At 36 feet, this dam is taller than 83% of dams nationwide.

Living Downstream

If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The Indiana dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.

Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.

High HazardFair ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Yes

Location

StateIndiana
CountyBrown
River/StreamGreen Valley Creek
Coordinates39.18751, -86.25132

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeEarth
NID Height36 ft
Dam Height36 ft
Dam Length330 ft
Year Completed1965 (61 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage375 acre-ft
Max Storage375 acre-ft
Normal Storage107 acre-ft
Surface Area13 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge5,756 cfs
Spillway TypeUncontrolled

Ownership & Safety

PurposeRecreation
OwnerBRADLEY D AND ZELMA A HIRST
Owner TypePrivate
Hazard ClassificationHigh
Condition AssessmentFair
Last Inspection07/10/2020
Emergency Action PlanYes

Identifiers

NID IDIN00101
Federal IDIN00101
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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