Steel

Rock Creek· Rock Island, Illinois· Built 1912· Gravity· 6 ft tall
Low Hazard Hydroelectric Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Steel is classified as low hazard in Illinois. It was completed in 1912 and is 114 years old. Its primary use is hydroelectric.

Physical Details

Dam Height 6 ft (taller than 0.1% in IL)
Dam Length775 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage670 acre-ft
Normal Storage410 acre-ft
Surface Area570 acres
Drainage Area11,000 sq mi
Year Completed1912 (114 years old)
NID IDIL50001

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, 2017
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: IDNR

Ownership

City of Rock Island

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Steel?

Steel 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 Steel?

Steel is owned by City of Rock Island (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Steel built?

Steel was completed in 1912, making it 114 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 Steel?

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

How tall is Steel?

Steel has a dam height of 6 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 Steel last inspected?

Steel was last inspected on June 6, 2017. 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.