Prides Creek Lake Dam
Prides Creek Lake Dam is an earth dam located in Pike County, Indiana, built in 1970. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Prides Creek Lake Dam
The primary purpose of Prides Creek Lake Dam 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 Prides Creek Conservancy District (local government). It impounds the Unnamed Tributary Prides Creek near Petersburg.
The dam stands 45 feet tall and stretches 1,515 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 90 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,779 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1970, 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 10/03/2019.
At 45 feet, this dam is taller than 91% 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.
Location
| State | Indiana |
| County | Pike |
| Nearest City | Petersburg |
| River/Stream | Unnamed Tributary Prides Creek |
| Coordinates | 38.48385, -87.26580 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 45 ft |
| Dam Height | 40 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,515 ft |
| Year Completed | 1970 (56 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,779 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,779 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 1,129 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 90 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 1,800 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | PRIDES CREEK CONSERVANCY DISTRICT |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 10/03/2019 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | IN00188 |
| Federal ID | IN00188 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |