Dowell Lake Dam

TRIB WOLF CREEK· Henderson, Illinois· Built 1954· Earth· 23 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Dowell Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in Illinois. It was completed in 1954 and is 72 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 23 ft (taller than 37.7% in IL)
Dam Length294 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage75 acre-ft
Normal Storage43 acre-ft
Year Completed1954 (72 years old)
NID IDIL00409

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: April 27, 2021
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: IDNR

Ownership

MILFORD DOWELL

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Dowell Lake Dam?

Dowell 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 Dowell Lake Dam?

Dowell Lake Dam is owned by MILFORD DOWELL (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Dowell Lake Dam built?

Dowell Lake Dam was completed in 1954, making it 72 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 Dowell Lake Dam?

Dowell 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 Dowell Lake Dam?

Dowell Lake 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 Dowell Lake Dam last inspected?

Dowell Lake Dam was last inspected on April 27, 2021. 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.