Little Raccoon Dam No. 21 is an earth dam located in Parke County, Indiana, built in 1973. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 27 ft27 ft tall and 430 ft long, taller than 59% of U.S. dams with a recorded height. Height is drawn to scale against a two-story house, about 25 ft; the profile is a generic embankment section and the water level is illustrative.
About Little Raccoon Dam No. 21
The primary purpose of Little Raccoon Dam No. 21 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 Little Raccoon Conservancy District (local government). It impounds the Sunderland Branch near Catlin.
The dam stands 27 feet tall and stretches 430 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 10 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 284 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1 square miles. Completed in 1973, 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 08/30/2018.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | Indiana |
| County | Parke |
| Nearest City | Catlin |
| River/Stream | Sunderland Branch |
| Coordinates | 39.73398, -87.23863 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 27 ft |
| Dam Height | 25 ft |
| Dam Length | 430 ft |
| Year Completed | 1973 (53 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 284 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 284 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 46 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 10 acres |
| Drainage Area | 1 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 533 cfs |
| Spillway Type | None |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | Little Raccoon Conservancy District |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 08/30/2018 |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | IN00233 |
| Federal ID | IN00233 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |