Arsenal Power

Mississippi River· Rock Island, Illinois· Built 1878· Concrete· 26 ft tall
Low Hazard Hydroelectric Navigation Federal Government

Key Takeaway

Arsenal Power is classified as low hazard in Illinois. It was completed in 1878 and is 148 years old. Its primary use is hydroelectric.

Physical Details

Dam Height 26 ft (taller than 47.1% in IL)
Dam Length728 ft
Dam TypeConcrete
Max Storage30.0K acre-ft
Normal Storage30.0K acre-ft
Max Discharge312,000 cfs
Year Completed1878 (148 years old)
NID IDIL00798

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

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

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: August 29, 2020
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: IDNR

Ownership

Rock Island Arsenal

Federal Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Arsenal Power?

Arsenal Power is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Arsenal Power?

Arsenal Power is owned by Rock Island Arsenal (Federal Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Arsenal Power built?

Arsenal Power was completed in 1878, making it 148 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 Arsenal Power?

Arsenal Power serves the following purposes: Hydroelectric, Navigation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Arsenal Power?

Arsenal Power has a dam height of 26 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 Arsenal Power last inspected?

Arsenal Power was last inspected on August 29, 2020. 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.