Lake of Egypt Dam
Key Takeaway
Lake of Egypt Dam is classified as high hazard in Illinois. It was completed in 1962 and is 64 years old. Its primary use is other. 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 | 55 ft (taller than 93.6% in IL) |
| Dam Length | 2,850 ft |
| Dam Type | Earth |
| Max Storage | 82.9K acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 41.2K acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 2,265 acres |
| Drainage Area | 33 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 40,666 cfs |
| Year Completed | 1962 (64 years old) |
| NID ID | IL00015 |
Safety Information
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?
Ownership
SOUTHERN ILLINOIS POWER COOPERATIVE
Public Utility
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Significant Hazard 27 ftFrequently Asked Questions
What is the hazard classification of Lake of Egypt Dam?
Lake of Egypt 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 of Egypt Dam?
Lake of Egypt Dam is owned by SOUTHERN ILLINOIS POWER COOPERATIVE (Public Utility). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.
When was Lake of Egypt Dam built?
Lake of Egypt 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 of Egypt Dam?
Lake of Egypt Dam serves the following purposes: Other, Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.
How tall is Lake of Egypt Dam?
Lake of Egypt Dam has a dam height of 55 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 of Egypt Dam last inspected?
Lake of Egypt Dam was last inspected on October 18, 2019. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.