Schaefer Lake Dam
Schaefer Lake Dam is an earth dam located in Bartholomew County, Indiana, built in 1959. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Schaefer Lake Dam
The primary purpose of Schaefer Lake Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Schaefer Lake Lot Owners Association (private). It impounds the Duck Creek.
The dam stands 28 feet tall and stretches 790 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 86 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 973 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 15 square miles. Completed in 1959, 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 poor, meaning the dam has recognized safety deficiencies that require remediation to address risks. The most recent inspection on record was 03/19/2019.
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Location
| State | Indiana |
| County | Bartholomew |
| River/Stream | Duck Creek |
| Coordinates | 39.27664, -85.75583 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 28 ft |
| Dam Height | 24 ft |
| Dam Length | 790 ft |
| Year Completed | 1959 (67 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 973 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 973 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 600 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 86 acres |
| Drainage Area | 15 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 1,346 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | SCHAEFER LAKE LOT OWNERS ASSOCIATION |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 03/19/2019 |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | IN00026 |
| Federal ID | IN00026 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |