Shaw Lake Dam

TRIB WEST FORK WOOD R· Macoupin, Illinois· Earth· 23 ft tall

High Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Shaw Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in Illinois. Its primary use is recreation. High hazard means loss of life is likely if the dam fails — it does not indicate the dam's current condition. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height	23 ft (taller than 37.7% in IL)
Dam Length	270 ft
Dam Type	Earth
Normal Storage	0 acre-ft

NID ID	IL50741

Safety Information

High Hazard

Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: No

Last Inspection: May 5, 2021

State Regulated: Yes

Regulatory Agency: IDNR

Ownership

SHAW

Private

Nearby Dams

Brighton Lake Dam

Macoupin, IL

High Hazard 25 ft

Owens Lake Dam

Macoupin, IL

High Hazard 33 ft

Briarwood Lake Dam

Macoupin, IL

Low Hazard 30 ft

Mcadams Pond Dam 1

Macoupin, IL

Low Hazard 30 ft

Osage Lake Dam

Macoupin, IL

Significant Hazard 38 ft

Woodland Lake Dam

Macoupin, IL

Significant Hazard 27 ft

Evergreen Lake Dam

Macoupin, IL

Low Hazard 34 ft

Ingram Pond Dam

Jersey, IL

Low Hazard 30 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Shaw Lake Dam?

Shaw Lake Dam is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Shaw Lake Dam?

Shaw Lake Dam is owned by SHAW (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

What is the primary purpose of Shaw Lake Dam?

Shaw 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 Shaw Lake Dam?

Shaw Lake Dam has a dam height of 23 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 Shaw Lake Dam last inspected?

Shaw Lake Dam was last inspected on May 5, 2021. 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.