The south parking lot has a fringe of trees that can harbor some landbirds, especially in migration.   

The open water can attract small groups of waterfowl close to shore. There is usually a sizeable flock of mallards and coots, with other birds mixed in, for much of the non-breeding season.  

Watch also for overflying herons, vultures, gulls, and eagles.  

The site is bisected by SR 366, which runs across the top of the dam, so birders should be mindful of the traffic.  

The Great Miami River (which is rather small here) flows out from the spillway, curling west behind the dam before going under US 33 and continuing south to the Rudolph Preserve.   

There are 2 places to park. The east lot (which is in the picture) is up on the dam and offers a good view of the area above. The south lot is below the dam (and slightly to the west of the photo) and offers more space for parking, but one must get out of your car and walk up to the roadway for a decent view of the water.  

Nearest public restrooms are on Fox Island, a 5-minute drive away.

The region of Indian Lake was originally a cluster of natural lakes situated on the Miami River. As the continental glaciers left Ohio, chunks of ice broke free, melted, and formed water-filled depressions called kettle lakes. The resultant shallow, marshy, natural lakes in this region covered an area of 640 acres. Among these were Old Indian Lake, Otter Lake, Blake Lake, Sheep Pen Lake, and the Buck Wheat Patch.

The present, and much larger, lake lies along one of the country’s major avian migration routes. Indian Lake is an important resting stop for birds such as Canada geese, ducks, grebes, swans, egrets, and herons. Many stay over the summer to nest.