Lake Le-Aqua-Na Dam

WADDAMS CREEK· Stephenson, Illinois· Built 1955· Earth· 44 ft tall
Significant Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Lake Le-Aqua-Na Dam is classified as significant hazard in Illinois. It was completed in 1955 and is 71 years old. Its primary use is recreation. Significant hazard means failure could cause economic or environmental damage. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 44 ft (taller than 87.3% in IL)
Dam Length680 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage1.0K acre-ft
Normal Storage557 acre-ft
Surface Area47 acres
Drainage Area4 sq mi
Max Discharge3,971 cfs
Year Completed1955 (71 years old)
NID IDIL00137

Safety Information

Significant Hazard

No probable loss of human life, but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, or disruption of lifeline facilities.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: August 2, 2019
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: IDNR

Ownership

ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lake Le-Aqua-Na Dam?

Lake Le-Aqua-Na Dam is classified as Significant Hazard. No probable loss of human life, but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, or disruption of lifeline facilities. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Lake Le-Aqua-Na Dam?

Lake Le-Aqua-Na 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 Lake Le-Aqua-Na Dam built?

Lake Le-Aqua-Na Dam was completed in 1955, making it 71 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 Le-Aqua-Na Dam?

Lake Le-Aqua-Na 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 Le-Aqua-Na Dam?

Lake Le-Aqua-Na Dam has a dam height of 44 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 Le-Aqua-Na Dam last inspected?

Lake Le-Aqua-Na Dam was last inspected on August 2, 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.