Old Five Lake Dam

TRIB LITTLERS CREEK· Knox, Illinois· Built 1945· Earth· 35 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Old Five Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in Illinois. It was completed in 1945 and is 81 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 35 ft (taller than 76.2% in IL)
Dam Length300 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage40 acre-ft
Normal Storage40 acre-ft
Year Completed1945 (81 years old)
NID IDIL00448

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: March 18, 2019
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: IDNR

Ownership

MIDLAND COAL COMPANY

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Old Five Lake Dam?

Old Five 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 Old Five Lake Dam?

Old Five Lake Dam is owned by MIDLAND COAL COMPANY (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Old Five Lake Dam built?

Old Five Lake Dam was completed in 1945, making it 81 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 Old Five Lake Dam?

Old Five 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 Old Five Lake Dam?

Old Five Lake Dam has a dam height of 35 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 Old Five Lake Dam last inspected?

Old Five Lake Dam was last inspected on March 18, 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.