Litchfield City Lake Dam

TRIB WEST FORK SHOAL CREEK· Montgomery, Illinois· Built 1925· Earth· 51 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Litchfield City Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in Illinois. It was completed in 1925 and is 101 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 51 ft (taller than 92.4% in IL)
Dam Length565 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage370 acre-ft
Normal Storage303 acre-ft
Year Completed1925 (101 years old)
NID IDIL00695

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: November 17, 2020
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: IDNR

Ownership

CITY OF LITCHFIELD

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Litchfield City Lake Dam?

Litchfield City 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 Litchfield City Lake Dam?

Litchfield City Lake Dam is owned by CITY OF LITCHFIELD (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Litchfield City Lake Dam built?

Litchfield City Lake Dam was completed in 1925, making it 101 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 Litchfield City Lake Dam?

Litchfield City Lake 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 Litchfield City Lake Dam?

Litchfield City Lake Dam has a dam height of 51 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 Litchfield City Lake Dam last inspected?

Litchfield City Lake Dam was last inspected on November 17, 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.