J.c. Murphey Lake Dam

About J.c. Murphey Lake Dam

The primary purpose of J.c. Murphey Lake Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Indiana Department Of Natural Resources (state). It impounds the Riner Houseworth Ditch.

The dam stands 17 feet tall and stretches 1,300 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 1,200 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 12,805 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 13 square miles. Completed in 1951, 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 07/15/2020.

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