Alton-Wood River Sportsmens Reservoir Dam

TRIB COAL BRANCH CREEK· Madison, Illinois· Built 1948· Earth· 33 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Alton-Wood River Sportsmens Reservoir Dam is classified as high hazard in Illinois. It was completed in 1948 and is 78 years old. Its primary use is recreation. High hazard means loss of life is likely if the dam fails — it does not indicate the dam's current condition. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 33 ft (taller than 71.6% in IL)
Dam Length480 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage119 acre-ft
Normal Storage61 acre-ft
Surface Area11 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge43 cfs
Year Completed1948 (78 years old)
NID IDIL00181

Safety Information

High Hazard

Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: July 26, 2023
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: IDNR

Ownership

ALTON-WOOD RIVER SPORTMENS CLUB

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Alton-Wood River Sportsmens Reservoir Dam?

Alton-Wood River Sportsmens Reservoir Dam is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Alton-Wood River Sportsmens Reservoir Dam?

Alton-Wood River Sportsmens Reservoir Dam is owned by ALTON-WOOD RIVER SPORTMENS CLUB (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Alton-Wood River Sportsmens Reservoir Dam built?

Alton-Wood River Sportsmens Reservoir Dam was completed in 1948, making it 78 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

What is the primary purpose of Alton-Wood River Sportsmens Reservoir Dam?

Alton-Wood River Sportsmens Reservoir Dam serves the following purposes: Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Alton-Wood River Sportsmens Reservoir Dam?

Alton-Wood River Sportsmens Reservoir Dam has a dam height of 33 ft. Dam height is measured from the natural streambed at the downstream toe to the top of the dam, and may differ from the visible height.

When was Alton-Wood River Sportsmens Reservoir Dam last inspected?

Alton-Wood River Sportsmens Reservoir Dam was last inspected on July 26, 2023. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.

Data from the National Inventory of Dams (NID) maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Dam conditions may have changed since the last update. This site is not affiliated with USACE. Do not use for emergency planning — contact your local dam safety program.