Lasalle Co. Nuclear Station Cooling Lake Dam

TRIB ILLINOIS RIVER· LaSalle, Illinois· Built 1977· Earth· 43 ft tall
High Hazard Other Private

Key Takeaway

Lasalle Co. Nuclear Station Cooling Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in Illinois. It was completed in 1977 and is 49 years old. Its primary use is other. 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 43 ft (taller than 86.6% in IL)
Dam Length37,942 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage44.2K acre-ft
Normal Storage31.7K acre-ft
Surface Area2,058 acres
Drainage Area5 sq mi
Max Discharge5,884 cfs
Year Completed1977 (49 years old)
NID IDIL01102

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: Yes
Last Inspection: September 30, 2020
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: IDNR

Ownership

EXELON GENERATION COMPANY, LLC

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lasalle Co. Nuclear Station Cooling Lake Dam?

Lasalle Co. Nuclear Station Cooling Lake 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 Lasalle Co. Nuclear Station Cooling Lake Dam?

Lasalle Co. Nuclear Station Cooling Lake Dam is owned by EXELON GENERATION COMPANY, LLC (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Lasalle Co. Nuclear Station Cooling Lake Dam built?

Lasalle Co. Nuclear Station Cooling Lake Dam was completed in 1977, making it 49 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 Lasalle Co. Nuclear Station Cooling Lake Dam?

Lasalle Co. Nuclear Station Cooling Lake Dam serves the following purposes: Other. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Lasalle Co. Nuclear Station Cooling Lake Dam?

Lasalle Co. Nuclear Station Cooling Lake Dam has a dam height of 43 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 Lasalle Co. Nuclear Station Cooling Lake Dam last inspected?

Lasalle Co. Nuclear Station Cooling Lake Dam was last inspected on September 30, 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.