St. Clair County Retention Pond 1 Dam

WOLF BRANCH CREEK· St. Clair, Illinois· Built 1999· Earth· 31 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

St. Clair County Retention Pond 1 Dam is classified as high hazard in Illinois. It was completed in 1999 and is 27 years old. 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 31 ft (taller than 66.2% in IL)
Dam Length500 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage191 acre-ft
Normal Storage43 acre-ft
Max Discharge1,660 cfs
Year Completed1999 (27 years old)
NID IDIL50263

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: Yes
Last Inspection: June 1, 2020
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: IDNR

Ownership

ST. CLAIR COUNTY

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of St. Clair County Retention Pond 1 Dam?

St. Clair County Retention Pond 1 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 St. Clair County Retention Pond 1 Dam?

St. Clair County Retention Pond 1 Dam is owned by ST. CLAIR COUNTY (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was St. Clair County Retention Pond 1 Dam built?

St. Clair County Retention Pond 1 Dam was completed in 1999, making it 27 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 St. Clair County Retention Pond 1 Dam?

St. Clair County Retention Pond 1 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 St. Clair County Retention Pond 1 Dam?

St. Clair County Retention Pond 1 Dam has a dam height of 31 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 St. Clair County Retention Pond 1 Dam last inspected?

St. Clair County Retention Pond 1 Dam was last inspected on June 1, 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.