Brookville Lake Dam facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Brookville Lake Dam |
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![]() Brookville Lake Dam, southeastern Indiana, viewed from the overlook to the east.
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Country | United States |
Location | Brookville Township, Franklin County, Indiana |
Coordinates | 39°26′23″N 84°59′56″W / 39.4396°N 84.999°W |
Reservoir | |
Creates | Brookville Lake |
Normal elevation | 755 feet (230 m) |

The Brookville Lake Dam is a large structure located in Brookville Township, Franklin County, Indiana. It sits just north of the town of Brookville, in the southeastern part of the state. This important dam helps manage water in the area.
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What is the Brookville Lake Dam?
The Brookville Lake Dam is an earthen dam. This means it is built mostly from compacted earth, rock, and clay. It was finished in 1974. The dam was built by the United States Army Corps of Engineers. This is a group that builds and manages many important projects across the country.
How Big is the Dam?
The dam is quite large! It stands about 181 feet tall. That's taller than a 15-story building. It stretches for 2,800 feet across the land. That's almost half a mile long. The dam helps to hold back the East Fork of the Whitewater River.
Why Was the Dam Built?
The main reason for building the Brookville Lake Dam was for flood control. This means it helps to stop rivers from overflowing their banks. It also helps with storm water management. This is about controlling water during heavy rains. By holding back water, the dam protects homes and farms downstream from flooding.
About Brookville Lake
The dam creates a large body of water called Brookville Lake. This lake is a reservoir. A reservoir is like a giant storage tank for water. It's formed when a dam blocks a river.
How Big is the Lake?
Brookville Lake covers a normal area of about 8.2 square miles. That's a lot of water! It can hold a huge amount of water, up to 359,600 acre-feet. An acre-foot is the amount of water needed to cover one acre of land with water one foot deep.
Fun Things to Do at Brookville Lake
Brookville Lake is a popular spot for outdoor activities. Many people visit for recreation. You can enjoy:
- Boating on the wide-open water.
- Hiking on trails around the lake.
- Hunting in designated areas.
- Fishing for many different types of fish.
What Kind of Fish Can You Catch?
The lake is home to a variety of fish. Anglers can try to catch:
- Bluegill
- Largemouth bass
- Smallmouth bass
- Striped bass
- Catfish
- Walleye
- Crappie
- Muskellunge
- Trout
- White bass
Nearby Parks and Recreation Areas
There are also other great places to visit near Brookville Lake. These include:
- The Mounds State Recreation Area.
- The Whitewater Memorial State Park.
These parks offer even more chances to enjoy nature and outdoor fun.