Horseshoe Lake Dam

LAKE CREEK· Alexander, Illinois· Built 1950· Earth· 10 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Horseshoe 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 10 ft (taller than 5.7% in IL)
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage500 acre-ft
Normal Storage6.6K acre-ft
Year Completed1950 (76 years old)
NID IDIL50097

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: July 6, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: IDNR

Ownership

ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

State Government

Nearby Dams

Central Alexander County Sewage Treatment Pond Dam

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Dann Kraatz Dam

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Kays Lake Dam

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Cervantes Lake Dam

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Davis Lake Dam

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Horseshoe Lake Dam?

Horseshoe 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 Horseshoe Lake Dam?

Horseshoe Lake 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 Horseshoe Lake Dam built?

Horseshoe 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 Horseshoe Lake Dam?

Horseshoe 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 Horseshoe Lake Dam?

Horseshoe Lake Dam has a dam height of 10 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 Horseshoe Lake Dam last inspected?

Horseshoe Lake Dam was last inspected on July 6, 2022. 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.