Buck Lake Dam

BUCK BRANCH· DeKalb, Illinois· Built 1971· Earth· 16 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Buck Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in Illinois. It was completed in 1971 and is 55 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 16 ft (taller than 20.3% in IL)
Dam Length125 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage98 acre-ft
Normal Storage45 acre-ft
Year Completed1971 (55 years old)
Year Modified1997
NID IDIL00881

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 28, 2023
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: IDNR

Ownership

BUCK LAKE PROPERTY ASSOCIATION

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Buck Lake Dam?

Buck 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 Buck Lake Dam?

Buck Lake Dam is owned by BUCK LAKE PROPERTY ASSOCIATION (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Buck Lake Dam built?

Buck Lake Dam was completed in 1971, making it 55 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 Buck Lake Dam?

Buck 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 Buck Lake Dam?

Buck Lake Dam has a dam height of 16 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 Buck Lake Dam last inspected?

Buck Lake Dam was last inspected on June 28, 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.