Lake Taylorville Dam
Key Takeaway
Lake Taylorville 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 | 27 ft (taller than 51.5% in IL) |
| Dam Length | 1,400 ft |
| Dam Type | Earth |
| Max Storage | 28.5K acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 10.4K acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 1,287 acres |
| Drainage Area | 125 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 54,840 cfs |
| Year Completed | 1961 (65 years old) |
| NID ID | IL00678 |
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
CITY OF TAYLORVILLE
Local Government
Nearby Dams
Bertinettis Lake Dam
Christian, IL
Significant Hazard 29 ftLake Taylorville Locust Creek Detention Basin Dam
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Low Hazard 15 ftLake Taylorville South Fork Sediment Basin Dam
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Low Hazard 17 ftOstermeir Pond Dam
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Low Hazard 22 ftLusters Lake Dam
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Low Hazard 22 ftKincaid City Lake Dam
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Significant Hazard 37 ftFrequently Asked Questions
What is the hazard classification of Lake Taylorville Dam?
Lake Taylorville 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 Taylorville Dam?
Lake Taylorville Dam is owned by CITY OF TAYLORVILLE (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.
When was Lake Taylorville Dam built?
Lake Taylorville 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 Taylorville Dam?
Lake Taylorville Dam serves the following purposes: Recreation, Water Supply. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.
How tall is Lake Taylorville Dam?
Lake Taylorville Dam has a dam height of 27 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 Taylorville Dam last inspected?
Lake Taylorville Dam was last inspected on April 14, 2021. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.