Swearington Lake Dam

TRIB POPE CREEK· Mercer, Illinois· Built 1973· Earth· 39 ft tall
Low Hazard Other Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Swearington Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in Illinois. It was completed in 1973 and is 53 years old. Its primary use is other.

Physical Details

Dam Height 39 ft (taller than 82.3% in IL)
Dam Length260 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage78 acre-ft
Normal Storage66 acre-ft
Year Completed1973 (53 years old)
NID IDIL00521

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: October 10, 2023
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: IDNR

Ownership

VERNON SWEARINGEN

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Swearington Lake Dam?

Swearington 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 Swearington Lake Dam?

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

When was Swearington Lake Dam built?

Swearington Lake Dam was completed in 1973, making it 53 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 Swearington Lake Dam?

Swearington 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 Swearington Lake Dam?

Swearington Lake Dam has a dam height of 39 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 Swearington Lake Dam last inspected?

Swearington Lake Dam was last inspected on October 10, 2023. 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.