Lake Prestbury Dam

PRESTBURY BRANCH BLACKBERRY CREEK· Kane, Illinois· Built 1966· Earth· 14 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Lake Prestbury Dam is classified as high hazard in Illinois. It was completed in 1966 and is 60 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 14 ft (taller than 14.5% in IL)
Dam Length1,140 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage126 acre-ft
Normal Storage71 acre-ft
Year Completed1966 (60 years old)
NID IDIL00924

Safety Information

High Hazard

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?

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: June 26, 2019
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: IDNR

Ownership

PRESTBURY CITIZENS ASSOCIATION, INC.

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lake Prestbury Dam?

Lake Prestbury 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 Prestbury Dam?

Lake Prestbury Dam is owned by PRESTBURY CITIZENS ASSOCIATION, INC. (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Lake Prestbury Dam built?

Lake Prestbury Dam was completed in 1966, making it 60 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 Prestbury Dam?

Lake Prestbury 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 Prestbury Dam?

Lake Prestbury Dam has a dam height of 14 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 Prestbury Dam last inspected?

Lake Prestbury Dam was last inspected on June 26, 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.