Mcleansboro Lake Dam

BEAR CREEK· Hamilton, Illinois· Built 1937· Earth· 36 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Water Supply Local Government

Key Takeaway

Mcleansboro Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in Illinois. It was completed in 1937 and is 89 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 36 ft (taller than 78.2% in IL)
Dam Length2,955 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage1.3K acre-ft
Normal Storage604 acre-ft
Surface Area62 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge6,957 cfs
Year Completed1937 (89 years old)
NID IDIL00531

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: April 6, 2023
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: IDNR

Ownership

CITY OF MCLEANSBORO

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Mcleansboro Lake Dam?

Mcleansboro 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 Mcleansboro Lake Dam?

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

When was Mcleansboro Lake Dam built?

Mcleansboro Lake Dam was completed in 1937, making it 89 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 Mcleansboro Lake Dam?

Mcleansboro Lake 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 Mcleansboro Lake Dam?

Mcleansboro Lake Dam has a dam height of 36 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 Mcleansboro Lake Dam last inspected?

Mcleansboro Lake Dam was last inspected on April 6, 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.