Rickmeyer Big Lake Dam

TRIB GRINDSTONE CREEK· McDonough, Illinois· Built 1981· Earth· 16 ft tall
Low Hazard Other Private

Key Takeaway

Rickmeyer Big Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in Illinois. It was completed in 1981 and is 45 years old. Its primary use is other.

Physical Details

Dam Height 16 ft (taller than 20.3% in IL)
Dam Length1,330 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage124 acre-ft
Normal Storage67 acre-ft
Surface Area236 acres
Max Discharge575 cfs
Year Completed1981 (45 years old)
NID IDIL50023

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: December 31, 2020
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: IDNR

Ownership

MARK & ANNE RICKMEYER

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Rickmeyer Big Lake Dam?

Rickmeyer Big 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 Rickmeyer Big Lake Dam?

Rickmeyer Big Lake Dam is owned by MARK & ANNE RICKMEYER (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Rickmeyer Big Lake Dam built?

Rickmeyer Big Lake Dam was completed in 1981, making it 45 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 Rickmeyer Big Lake Dam?

Rickmeyer Big Lake Dam serves the following purposes: Other. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Rickmeyer Big Lake Dam?

Rickmeyer Big Lake Dam has a dam height of 16 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 Rickmeyer Big Lake Dam last inspected?

Rickmeyer Big Lake Dam was last inspected on December 31, 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.