West Lake Dam
West Lake Dam is an earth dam located in Brown County, Indiana, built in 1976. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About West Lake Dam
The primary purpose of West Lake Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by August Watanabe (private). It impounds the Unnamed Tributary Gnaw Bone Creek.
The dam stands 30 feet tall and stretches 380 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 3 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 76 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1976, the structure is 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 02/22/2018.
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Location
| State | Indiana |
| County | Brown |
| River/Stream | Unnamed Tributary Gnaw Bone Creek |
| Coordinates | 39.23085, -86.10660 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 30 ft |
| Dam Height | 30 ft |
| Dam Length | 380 ft |
| Year Completed | 1976 (50 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 76 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 76 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 44 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 3 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 471 cfs |
| Spillway Type | None |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | AUGUST WATANABE |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 02/22/2018 |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | IN00589 |
| Federal ID | IN00589 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |