Lake Chautauqua Upper Dam

See Note· Mason, Illinois· Built 1916· Earth· 17 ft tall
Low Hazard Fish And Wildlife Pond Federal Government

Key Takeaway

Lake Chautauqua Upper Dam is classified as low hazard in Illinois. It was completed in 1916 and is 110 years old. Its primary use is fish and wildlife pond.

Physical Details

Dam Height 17 ft (taller than 22.3% in IL)
Dam Length15,424 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage17.3K acre-ft
Normal Storage4.2K acre-ft
Surface Area1,200 acres
Drainage Area2 sq mi
Max Discharge5,327 cfs
Year Completed1916 (110 years old)
NID IDIL50423

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: September 9, 2019
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: IDNR

Ownership

US FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE

Federal Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lake Chautauqua Upper Dam?

Lake Chautauqua Upper 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 Chautauqua Upper Dam?

Lake Chautauqua Upper Dam is owned by US FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE (Federal Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Lake Chautauqua Upper Dam built?

Lake Chautauqua Upper Dam was completed in 1916, making it 110 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 Chautauqua Upper Dam?

Lake Chautauqua Upper Dam serves the following purposes: Fish And Wildlife Pond. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Lake Chautauqua Upper Dam?

Lake Chautauqua Upper Dam has a dam height of 17 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 Chautauqua Upper Dam last inspected?

Lake Chautauqua Upper Dam was last inspected on September 9, 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.