Shabbona Lake Dam

INDIAN CREEK· DeKalb, Illinois· Built 1974· Earth· 56 ft tall
Low Hazard Other Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Shabbona Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in Illinois. It was completed in 1974 and is 52 years old. Its primary use is other.

Physical Details

Dam Height 56 ft (taller than 94.4% in IL)
Dam Length2,570 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage6.4K acre-ft
Normal Storage4.3K acre-ft
Year Completed1974 (52 years old)
NID IDIL01202

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 26, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: IDNR

Ownership

ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Shabbona Lake Dam?

Shabbona 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 Shabbona Lake Dam?

Shabbona 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 Shabbona Lake Dam built?

Shabbona Lake Dam was completed in 1974, making it 52 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 Shabbona Lake Dam?

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

How tall is Shabbona Lake Dam?

Shabbona Lake Dam has a dam height of 56 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 Shabbona Lake Dam last inspected?

Shabbona Lake Dam was last inspected on September 26, 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.