Lake Mt. Sterling Dam

SOUTH FORK SHELBY CREEK· Brown, Illinois· Built 1935· Earth· 38 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Lake Mt. Sterling Dam is classified as low hazard in Illinois. It was completed in 1935 and is 91 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 38 ft (taller than 80.7% in IL)
Dam Length382 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage365 acre-ft
Normal Storage281 acre-ft
Year Completed1935 (91 years old)
NID IDIL00489

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: June 1, 2018
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: IDNR

Ownership

CITY OF MOUNT STERLING

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lake Mt. Sterling Dam?

Lake Mt. Sterling 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 Mt. Sterling Dam?

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

When was Lake Mt. Sterling Dam built?

Lake Mt. Sterling Dam was completed in 1935, making it 91 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 Mt. Sterling Dam?

Lake Mt. Sterling 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 Mt. Sterling Dam?

Lake Mt. Sterling Dam has a dam height of 38 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 Mt. Sterling Dam last inspected?

Lake Mt. Sterling Dam was last inspected on June 1, 2018. 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.