Lake George Dam

BIG BRANCH CREEK· Rock Island, Illinois· Built 1962· Earth· 78 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Lake George Dam is classified as high hazard in Illinois. It was completed in 1962 and is 64 years old. Its primary use is recreation. 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 78 ft (taller than 98.1% in IL)
Dam Length1,090 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage6.4K acre-ft
Normal Storage4.0K acre-ft
Surface Area167 acres
Drainage Area7 sq mi
Max Discharge15,027 cfs
Year Completed1962 (64 years old)
NID IDIL00136

Safety Information

High Hazard

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?

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: May 12, 2020
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: IDNR

Ownership

ROCK ISLAND COUNTY FOREST PRESERVE DIST.

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lake George Dam?

Lake George 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 Lake George Dam?

Lake George Dam is owned by ROCK ISLAND COUNTY FOREST PRESERVE DIST. (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Lake George Dam built?

Lake George Dam was completed in 1962, making it 64 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 George Dam?

Lake George 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 Lake George Dam?

Lake George Dam has a dam height of 78 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 George Dam last inspected?

Lake George Dam was last inspected on May 12, 2020. 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.