Cottonwood Lake Dam is an earth dam located in Decatur County, Indiana, built in 2002. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 55 ft55 ft tall and 1,200 ft long, taller than 94% of U.S. dams with a recorded height. Height is drawn to scale against a ten-story building, about 100 ft; the profile is a generic embankment section and the water level is illustrative.
About Cottonwood Lake Dam
Cottonwood Lake Dam is a dam in Decatur, Indiana. The dam is owned by Cottonwood Lake Homeowners Association (private). It impounds the Unnamed Tributary Sand Creek.
The dam stands 55 feet tall and stretches 1,200 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 28 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 650 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 2002, the structure is relatively new.
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 07/07/2020.
At 55 feet, this dam is taller than 94% of dams nationwide.
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Location
| State | Indiana |
| County | Decatur |
| River/Stream | Unnamed Tributary Sand Creek |
| Coordinates | 39.26535, -85.52550 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 55 ft |
| Dam Height | 55 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,200 ft |
| Year Completed | 2002 (24 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 650 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 650 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 525 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 28 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Other |
| Owner | Cottonwood Lake Homeowners Association |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 07/07/2020 |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | IN03990 |
| Federal ID | IN03990 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |