Russell Lake Dam is an earthen embankment dam that is not regulated by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, however, the dam meets the criteria for a high-hazard classification due to the presence of a gas line through the dam, site access across the dam, and the potential for downstream development. GAI performed a dam inspection and assessed the hazard classification with respect to planned development around Russell Lake. Due to this development, site access across the dam crest was no longer required and GAI determined that the dam could be considered as a significant hazard. Previous studies indicated that the spillway system could pass 19% of the Probable Maximum Precipitation (PMP), while a significant hazard dam must pass 50% of the PMP, meaning that the spillway system still did not meet the capacity requirements for a significant-hazard dam.

GAI provided conceptual solutions to the dam owner with Opinions of Probable Cost. A final design was selected to allow passage of the 50% PMP design storm, with construction of a new spillway featuring a concrete hydraulic jump basin acting as an energy dissipator. GAI finalized the design and construction documents for the spillway. Construction was completed in August 2023.