Lake Helen Dam

TRIB GREASY CREEK· Hamilton, Illinois· Built 1959· Earth· 26 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Lake Helen Dam is classified as low hazard in Illinois. It was completed in 1959 and is 67 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 26 ft (taller than 47.1% in IL)
Dam Length770 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage67 acre-ft
Normal Storage60 acre-ft
Surface Area7 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge88 cfs
Year Completed1959 (67 years old)
NID IDIL00533

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 12, 2017
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: IDNR

Ownership

BRUNO T. GENEIKIS

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lake Helen Dam?

Lake Helen 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 Helen Dam?

Lake Helen Dam is owned by BRUNO T. GENEIKIS (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Lake Helen Dam built?

Lake Helen Dam was completed in 1959, making it 67 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 Helen Dam?

Lake Helen 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 Helen Dam?

Lake Helen Dam has a dam height of 26 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 Helen Dam last inspected?

Lake Helen Dam was last inspected on July 12, 2017. 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.