Busse Woods Reservoir South Dam
Key Takeaway
Busse Woods Reservoir South Dam is classified as high hazard in Illinois. It was completed in 1977 and is 49 years old. Its primary use is flood risk reduction. High hazard means loss of life is likely if the dam fails — it does not indicate the dam's current condition. Learn more.
Physical Details
| Dam Height | 23 ft (taller than 37.7% in IL) |
| Dam Length | 1,381 ft |
| Dam Type | Earth |
| Max Storage | 17.6K acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 2.7K acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 415 acres |
| Drainage Area | 53 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 24,272 cfs |
| Year Completed | 1977 (49 years old) |
| NID ID | IL01231 |
Safety Information
Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.
Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?
Ownership
ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
State Government
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High Hazard 23 ftFrequently Asked Questions
What is the hazard classification of Busse Woods Reservoir South Dam?
Busse Woods Reservoir South Dam is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.
Who owns and operates Busse Woods Reservoir South Dam?
Busse Woods Reservoir South Dam is owned by ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.
When was Busse Woods Reservoir South Dam built?
Busse Woods Reservoir South Dam was completed in 1977, making it 49 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 Busse Woods Reservoir South Dam?
Busse Woods Reservoir South Dam serves the following purposes: Flood Risk Reduction, Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.
How tall is Busse Woods Reservoir South Dam?
Busse Woods Reservoir South Dam has a dam height of 23 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 Busse Woods Reservoir South Dam last inspected?
Busse Woods Reservoir South Dam was last inspected on September 23, 2020. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.