Lake Carlinville Dam

HONEY CREEK· Macoupin, Illinois· Built 1938· Earth· 34 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Water Supply Local Government

Key Takeaway

Lake Carlinville Dam is classified as low hazard in Illinois. It was completed in 1938 and is 88 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 34 ft (taller than 73.9% in IL)
Dam Length785 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage4.4K acre-ft
Normal Storage2.1K acre-ft
Surface Area233 acres
Drainage Area25 sq mi
Max Discharge10,000 cfs
Year Completed1938 (88 years old)
NID IDIL00778

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 23, 2019
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: IDNR

Ownership

CITY OF CARLINVILLE

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lake Carlinville Dam?

Lake Carlinville 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 Lake Carlinville Dam?

Lake Carlinville Dam is owned by CITY OF CARLINVILLE (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Lake Carlinville Dam built?

Lake Carlinville Dam was completed in 1938, making it 88 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 Lake Carlinville Dam?

Lake Carlinville Dam serves the following purposes: Recreation, Water Supply. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Lake Carlinville Dam?

Lake Carlinville Dam has a dam height of 34 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 Lake Carlinville Dam last inspected?

Lake Carlinville Dam was last inspected on August 23, 2019. 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.