Ramsey Lake Dam
Key Takeaway
Ramsey 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 | 43 ft (taller than 86.6% in IL) |
| Dam Length | 487 ft |
| Dam Type | Earth |
| Max Storage | 1.1K acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 592 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 47 acres |
| Drainage Area | 2 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 9,018 cfs |
| Year Completed | 1948 (78 years old) |
| Year Modified | 2001 |
| NID ID | IL00619 |
Safety Information
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?
Ownership
ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
State Government
Nearby Dams
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hazard classification of Ramsey Lake Dam?
Ramsey 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 Ramsey Lake Dam?
Ramsey Lake Dam is owned by ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.
When was Ramsey Lake Dam built?
Ramsey 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 Ramsey Lake Dam?
Ramsey 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 Ramsey Lake Dam?
Ramsey Lake Dam has a dam height of 43 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 Ramsey Lake Dam last inspected?
Ramsey Lake Dam was last inspected on April 18, 2018. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.