Silver Lake Dam

TRIB FOX RIVER· McHenry, Illinois· Built 1929· Earth· 23 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Silver Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in Illinois. It was completed in 1929 and is 97 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 23 ft (taller than 37.7% in IL)
Dam Length170 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage580 acre-ft
Normal Storage364 acre-ft
Year Completed1929 (97 years old)
NID IDIL00584

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: August 28, 2019
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: IDNR

Ownership

VILLAGE OF OAKWOOD HILLS

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Silver Lake Dam?

Silver 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 Silver Lake Dam?

Silver Lake Dam is owned by VILLAGE OF OAKWOOD HILLS (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Silver Lake Dam built?

Silver Lake Dam was completed in 1929, making it 97 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 Silver Lake Dam?

Silver 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 Silver Lake Dam?

Silver 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 Silver Lake Dam last inspected?

Silver Lake Dam was last inspected on August 28, 2019. 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.