Touhy Avenue Reservoir Dam

HIGGINS CREEK· Cook, Illinois· Built 2004· Concrete· 10 ft tall
Significant Hazard Flood Risk Reduction Local Government

Key Takeaway

Touhy Avenue Reservoir Dam is classified as significant hazard in Illinois. It was completed in 2004 and is 22 years old. Its primary use is flood risk reduction. Significant hazard means failure could cause economic or environmental damage. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 10 ft (taller than 5.7% in IL)
Dam Length50 ft
Dam TypeConcrete
Max Storage740 acre-ft
Normal Storage0 acre-ft
Year Completed2004 (22 years old)
NID IDIL55104

Safety Information

Significant Hazard

No probable loss of human life, but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, or disruption of lifeline facilities.

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

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: October 19, 2017
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: IDNR

Ownership

CITY OF CHICAGO/METROPOLITAN WATER RECLAMATION DISTRICT

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Touhy Avenue Reservoir Dam?

Touhy Avenue Reservoir Dam is classified as Significant Hazard. No probable loss of human life, but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, or disruption of lifeline facilities. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Touhy Avenue Reservoir Dam?

Touhy Avenue Reservoir Dam is owned by CITY OF CHICAGO/METROPOLITAN WATER RECLAMATION DISTRICT (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Touhy Avenue Reservoir Dam built?

Touhy Avenue Reservoir Dam was completed in 2004, making it 22 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 Touhy Avenue Reservoir Dam?

Touhy Avenue Reservoir Dam serves the following purposes: Flood Risk Reduction. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Touhy Avenue Reservoir Dam?

Touhy Avenue Reservoir Dam has a dam height of 10 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 Touhy Avenue Reservoir Dam last inspected?

Touhy Avenue Reservoir Dam was last inspected on October 19, 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.