Paragon Lake Dam

COAL CREEK· Christian, Illinois· Built 1949· Earth· 20 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Paragon Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in Illinois. It was completed in 1949 and is 77 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 20 ft (taller than 28.2% in IL)
Dam Length2,286 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage583 acre-ft
Normal Storage320 acre-ft
Surface Area65 acres
Drainage Area3 sq mi
Max Discharge506 cfs
Year Completed1949 (77 years old)
NID IDIL00677

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: October 24, 2019
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: IDNR

Ownership

PARAGON LAKE ESTATES

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Paragon Lake Dam?

Paragon 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 Paragon Lake Dam?

Paragon Lake Dam is owned by PARAGON LAKE ESTATES (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Paragon Lake Dam built?

Paragon Lake Dam was completed in 1949, making it 77 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 Paragon Lake Dam?

Paragon 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 Paragon Lake Dam?

Paragon Lake Dam has a dam height of 20 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 Paragon Lake Dam last inspected?

Paragon Lake Dam was last inspected on October 24, 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.