Panama Lake Dam

TRIB BEARCAT CREEK· Montgomery, Illinois· Built 1928· Earth· 18 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Panama Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in Illinois. It was completed in 1928 and is 98 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 18 ft (taller than 24.2% in IL)
Dam Length423 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage169 acre-ft
Normal Storage89 acre-ft
Year Completed1928 (98 years old)
NID IDIL00701

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 19, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: IDNR

Ownership

RAYMOND COLEMAN

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Panama Lake Dam?

Panama 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 Panama Lake Dam?

Panama Lake Dam is owned by RAYMOND COLEMAN (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Panama Lake Dam built?

Panama Lake Dam was completed in 1928, making it 98 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 Panama Lake Dam?

Panama 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 Panama Lake Dam?

Panama Lake Dam has a dam height of 18 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 Panama Lake Dam last inspected?

Panama Lake Dam was last inspected on September 19, 2022. 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.