Macoupin Energy/Refuse Disposal Area 5

SPANISH NEEDLE CREEK· Macoupin, Illinois· Built 1987· Earth· 95 ft tall
High Hazard Other Private

Key Takeaway

Macoupin Energy/Refuse Disposal Area 5 is classified as high hazard in Illinois. It was completed in 1987 and is 39 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 95 ft (taller than 99.1% in IL)
Dam Length7,000 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage9.8K acre-ft
Normal Storage6.2K acre-ft
Year Completed1987 (39 years old)
NID IDIL50010

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 24, 2019
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: IDNR

Ownership

MACOUPIN ENERGY, LLC

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Macoupin Energy/Refuse Disposal Area 5?

Macoupin Energy/Refuse Disposal Area 5 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 Macoupin Energy/Refuse Disposal Area 5?

Macoupin Energy/Refuse Disposal Area 5 is owned by MACOUPIN ENERGY, LLC (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Macoupin Energy/Refuse Disposal Area 5 built?

Macoupin Energy/Refuse Disposal Area 5 was completed in 1987, making it 39 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 Macoupin Energy/Refuse Disposal Area 5?

Macoupin Energy/Refuse Disposal Area 5 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 Macoupin Energy/Refuse Disposal Area 5?

Macoupin Energy/Refuse Disposal Area 5 has a dam height of 95 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 Macoupin Energy/Refuse Disposal Area 5 last inspected?

Macoupin Energy/Refuse Disposal Area 5 was last inspected on September 24, 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.