Sauk Trail Lake Dam

THORN CREEK· Cook, Illinois· Built 1923· Earth· 18 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Sauk Trail Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in Illinois. It was completed in 1923 and is 103 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 18 ft (taller than 24.2% in IL)
Dam Length355 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage376 acre-ft
Normal Storage122 acre-ft
Year Completed1923 (103 years old)
NID IDIL00868

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: June 6, 2018
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: IDNR

Ownership

FOREST PRESERVE DISTRICT OF COOK COUNTY

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Sauk Trail Lake Dam?

Sauk Trail 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 Sauk Trail Lake Dam?

Sauk Trail Lake Dam is owned by FOREST PRESERVE DISTRICT OF COOK COUNTY (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Sauk Trail Lake Dam built?

Sauk Trail Lake Dam was completed in 1923, making it 103 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 Sauk Trail Lake Dam?

Sauk Trail 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 Sauk Trail Lake Dam?

Sauk Trail 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 Sauk Trail Lake Dam last inspected?

Sauk Trail Lake Dam was last inspected on June 6, 2018. 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.