Barths Lake Dam

TRIB PADDOCK CREEK· Macoupin, Illinois· Built 1950· Earth· 29 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Barths Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in Illinois. It was completed in 1950 and is 76 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 29 ft (taller than 58.2% in IL)
Dam Length320 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage91 acre-ft
Normal Storage59 acre-ft
Year Completed1950 (76 years old)
NID IDIL01017

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: June 1, 2018
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: IDNR

Ownership

ARNO BARTH

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Barths Lake Dam?

Barths Lake 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 Barths Lake Dam?

Barths Lake Dam is owned by ARNO BARTH (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Barths Lake Dam built?

Barths Lake Dam was completed in 1950, making it 76 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 Barths Lake Dam?

Barths Lake 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 Barths Lake Dam?

Barths Lake Dam has a dam height of 29 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 Barths Lake Dam last inspected?

Barths Lake Dam was last inspected on June 1, 2018. 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.