North Lake Dam

TRIB FOX RIVER· Kane, Illinois· Built 1948· Earth· 26 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

North Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in Illinois. It was completed in 1948 and is 78 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 26 ft (taller than 47.1% in IL)
Dam Length460 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage71 acre-ft
Normal Storage60 acre-ft
Year Completed1948 (78 years old)
NID IDIL00923

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: September 5, 2023
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: IDNR

Ownership

MAX MCGRAW WILDLIFE FEDERATION

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of North Lake Dam?

North 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 North Lake Dam?

North Lake Dam is owned by MAX MCGRAW WILDLIFE FEDERATION (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was North Lake Dam built?

North Lake Dam was completed in 1948, making it 78 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 North Lake Dam?

North 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 North Lake Dam?

North Lake Dam has a dam height of 26 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 North Lake Dam last inspected?

North Lake Dam was last inspected on September 5, 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.