Lake of The Woods Dam

TRIB SANGAMON RIVER· Champaign, Illinois· Built 1940· Earth· 30 ft tall
Significant Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Lake of The Woods Dam is classified as significant hazard in Illinois. It was completed in 1940 and is 86 years old. Its primary use is recreation. Significant hazard means failure could cause economic or environmental damage. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 30 ft (taller than 61.3% in IL)
Dam Length850 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage323 acre-ft
Normal Storage232 acre-ft
Surface Area28 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge960 cfs
Year Completed1940 (86 years old)
Year Modified2001
NID IDIL00511

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: November 17, 2019
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: IDNR

Ownership

CHAMPAIGN COUNTY FOREST PRESERVE DIST.

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lake of The Woods Dam?

Lake of The Woods 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 of The Woods Dam?

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

When was Lake of The Woods Dam built?

Lake of The Woods Dam was completed in 1940, making it 86 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 The Woods Dam?

Lake of The Woods 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 of The Woods Dam?

Lake of The Woods Dam has a dam height of 30 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 The Woods Dam last inspected?

Lake of The Woods Dam was last inspected on November 17, 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.