Behnken Lake Dam

TRIB MARYS RIVER· Randolph, Illinois· Built 1975· Earth· 24 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Behnken Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in Illinois. It was completed in 1975 and is 51 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 24 ft (taller than 40.5% in IL)
Dam Length700 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage85 acre-ft
Normal Storage62 acre-ft
Surface Area8 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Year Completed1975 (51 years old)
NID IDIL50529

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: August 16, 2018
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: IDNR

Ownership

WILLIAM SHEDD

Private

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Behnken Lake Dam?

Behnken 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 Behnken Lake Dam?

Behnken Lake Dam is owned by WILLIAM SHEDD (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Behnken Lake Dam built?

Behnken Lake Dam was completed in 1975, making it 51 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 Behnken Lake Dam?

Behnken 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 Behnken Lake Dam?

Behnken Lake Dam has a dam height of 24 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 Behnken Lake Dam last inspected?

Behnken Lake Dam was last inspected on August 16, 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.