Lake Petersburg Dam
Key Takeaway
Lake Petersburg Dam is classified as high hazard in Illinois. It was completed in 1961 and is 65 years old. Its primary use is recreation. 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 | 85 ft (taller than 98.7% in IL) |
| Dam Length | 1,300 ft |
| Dam Type | Earth |
| Max Storage | 6.7K acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 4.3K acre-ft |
| Max Discharge | 1,985 cfs |
| Year Completed | 1961 (65 years old) |
| NID ID | IL00518 |
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
LAKE PETERSBURG ASSOCIATION
Private
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Low Hazard 30 ftFrequently Asked Questions
What is the hazard classification of Lake Petersburg Dam?
Lake Petersburg 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 Petersburg Dam?
Lake Petersburg Dam is owned by LAKE PETERSBURG ASSOCIATION (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.
When was Lake Petersburg Dam built?
Lake Petersburg Dam was completed in 1961, making it 65 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 Petersburg Dam?
Lake Petersburg 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 Petersburg Dam?
Lake Petersburg Dam has a dam height of 85 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 Petersburg Dam last inspected?
Lake Petersburg Dam was last inspected on September 24, 2020. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.