Otter Lake Low Flow Dam

OTTER CREEK· Macoupin, Illinois· Built 2008· Rockfill· 6 ft tall
Low Hazard Debris Control Public Utility

Key Takeaway

Otter Lake Low Flow Dam is classified as low hazard in Illinois. It was completed in 2008 and is 18 years old. Its primary use is debris control.

Physical Details

Dam Height 6 ft (taller than 0.1% in IL)
Dam Length317 ft
Dam TypeRockfill
Max Storage217 acre-ft
Normal Storage105 acre-ft
Surface Area42 acres
Drainage Area11 sq mi
Max Discharge2,087 cfs
Year Completed2008 (18 years old)
NID IDIL50548

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: April 30, 2020
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: IDNR

Ownership

OTTER LAKE WATER COMMISSION

Public Utility

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Otter Lake Low Flow Dam?

Otter Lake Low Flow 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 Otter Lake Low Flow Dam?

Otter Lake Low Flow Dam is owned by OTTER LAKE WATER COMMISSION (Public Utility). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Otter Lake Low Flow Dam built?

Otter Lake Low Flow Dam was completed in 2008, making it 18 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 Otter Lake Low Flow Dam?

Otter Lake Low Flow Dam serves the following purposes: Debris Control. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Otter Lake Low Flow Dam?

Otter Lake Low Flow Dam has a dam height of 6 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 Otter Lake Low Flow Dam last inspected?

Otter Lake Low Flow Dam was last inspected on April 30, 2020. 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.