Marsh Lake Dam

TRIB EAST FORK SPOON RIVER· Stark, Illinois· Built 1965· Earth· 30 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Marsh Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in Illinois. It was completed in 1965 and is 61 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 30 ft (taller than 61.3% in IL)
Dam Length270 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage115 acre-ft
Normal Storage70 acre-ft
Year Completed1965 (61 years old)
NID IDIL01158

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: May 3, 2023
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: IDNR

Ownership

G. A. MARSH ESTATE

Private

Nearby Dams

Allendale Conservation Club Lake Dam

Stark, IL

Low Hazard 13 ft

Newton Lake Dam

Marshall, IL

Low Hazard 31 ft

Armstrong Pond Dam 2

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Low Hazard 22 ft

Newton-Hager Lake Dam

Bureau, IL

Low Hazard 29 ft

Harmon Pond Dam

Bureau, IL

Significant Hazard 37 ft

Tiskilwa Structure 1 Dam

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High Hazard 49 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Marsh Lake Dam?

Marsh Lake 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 Marsh Lake Dam?

Marsh Lake Dam is owned by G. A. MARSH ESTATE (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Marsh Lake Dam built?

Marsh Lake Dam was completed in 1965, making it 61 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 Marsh Lake Dam?

Marsh 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 Marsh Lake Dam?

Marsh Lake Dam has a dam height of 30 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 Marsh Lake Dam last inspected?

Marsh Lake Dam was last inspected on May 3, 2023. 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.