Lake Walter Scott Dam

TRIB BISHOP CREEK· Effingham, Illinois· Built 1967· Earth· 33 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Water Supply Private

Key Takeaway

Lake Walter Scott Dam is classified as low hazard in Illinois. It was completed in 1967 and is 59 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 33 ft (taller than 71.6% in IL)
Dam Length370 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage331 acre-ft
Normal Storage198 acre-ft
Year Completed1967 (59 years old)
NID IDIL00608

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: October 29, 2020
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: IDNR

Ownership

ILLINOIS DISCIPLES OF CHRIST

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lake Walter Scott Dam?

Lake Walter Scott Dam is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Lake Walter Scott Dam?

Lake Walter Scott Dam is owned by ILLINOIS DISCIPLES OF CHRIST (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Lake Walter Scott Dam built?

Lake Walter Scott Dam was completed in 1967, making it 59 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 Walter Scott Dam?

Lake Walter Scott 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 Walter Scott Dam?

Lake Walter Scott Dam has a dam height of 33 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 Walter Scott Dam last inspected?

Lake Walter Scott Dam was last inspected on October 29, 2020. 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.