Bischoff Reservoir Dam
Bischoff Reservoir Dam is a dam located in Ripley County, Indiana, built in 1959. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Bischoff Reservoir Dam
The primary purpose of Bischoff Reservoir Dam is water supply. The dam stores water for municipal, industrial, or agricultural use, helping ensure a reliable supply for the surrounding area. The dam is local government-owned. It impounds the Bobs Creek.
The dam stands 38 feet tall and stretches 640 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 205 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 3,291 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 4 square miles. Completed in 1959, 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 satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Notably, no emergency action plan is currently on file for this high-hazard dam. The most recent inspection on record was 07/31/2019.
At 38 feet, this dam is taller than 85% 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 | Ripley |
| River/Stream | Bobs Creek |
| Coordinates | 39.27395, -85.19907 |
Physical Characteristics
| NID Height | 38 ft |
| Dam Height | 38 ft |
| Dam Length | 640 ft |
| Year Completed | 1959 (67 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 3,291 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 3,291 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 1,952 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 205 acres |
| Drainage Area | 4 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 4,021 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 07/31/2019 |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | IN00043 |
| Federal ID | IN00043 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |