South Bend

South Bend is a timber crib dam located in St. Joseph County, Indiana, built in 1850. It carries a Low hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.

About South Bend

The primary purpose of South Bend is hydroelectric. The dam generates hydroelectric power by channeling water through turbines, converting the energy of flowing water into electricity. The dam is owned by South Bend, City Of (local government). It impounds the St Joseph River near South Bend.

The dam stands 12 feet tall and stretches 435 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 150 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 800 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 3,572 square miles. Completed in 1850, the structure is one of the older dams in the region, with over a century and a half of service.

This dam has a low hazard potential classification, meaning that failure would cause minimal damage, limited primarily to the dam owner's property, with no expected loss of life. Its condition is rated satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. The most recent inspection on record was 09/23/2019.

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Low HazardSatisfactory ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Not Required

Location

StateIndiana
CountySt. Joseph
Nearest CitySouth Bend
River/StreamSt Joseph River
Coordinates41.67580, -86.24639

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeTimber Crib
NID Height12 ft
Dam Height12 ft
Dam Length435 ft
Year Completed1850 (176 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage800 acre-ft
Max Storage800 acre-ft
Normal Storage800 acre-ft
Surface Area150 acres
Drainage Area3,572 sq mi
Max Discharge30,000 cfs
Spillway TypeUncontrolled

Ownership & Safety

PurposeHydroelectric
OwnerSouth Bend, City of
Owner TypeLocal Government
Hazard ClassificationLow
Condition AssessmentSatisfactory
Last Inspection09/23/2019
Emergency Action PlanNot Required

Identifiers

NID IDIN00807
Federal IDIN00807
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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