Aurora - West Dam

FOX RIVER· Kane, Illinois· Built 1930· Gravity· 7 ft tall
Low Hazard Flood Risk Reduction Public Utility

Key Takeaway

Aurora - West Dam is classified as low hazard in Illinois. It was completed in 1930 and is 96 years old. Its primary use is flood risk reduction.

Physical Details

Dam Height 7 ft (taller than 0.5% in IL)
Dam Length180 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage80 acre-ft
Normal Storage80 acre-ft
Year Completed1930 (96 years old)
Year Modified1995
NID IDIL00918

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: No
Last Inspection: October 1, 2019
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: IDNR

Ownership

CITY OF AURORA

Public Utility

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Aurora - West Dam?

Aurora - West Dam 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 Aurora - West Dam?

Aurora - West Dam is owned by CITY OF AURORA (Public Utility). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Aurora - West Dam built?

Aurora - West Dam was completed in 1930, making it 96 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 Aurora - West Dam?

Aurora - West Dam serves the following purposes: Flood Risk Reduction. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Aurora - West Dam?

Aurora - West Dam has a dam height of 7 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 Aurora - West Dam last inspected?

Aurora - West Dam was last inspected on October 1, 2019. 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.