Vandalia Municipal Reservoir Dam

BEAR CREEK· Fayette, Illinois· Built 1965· Earth· 50 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Water Supply Local Government

Key Takeaway

Vandalia Municipal Reservoir Dam is classified as high hazard in Illinois. It was completed in 1965 and is 61 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 50 ft (taller than 91.7% in IL)
Dam Length1,600 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage13.5K acre-ft
Normal Storage5.6K acre-ft
Surface Area660 acres
Drainage Area25 sq mi
Max Discharge11,900 cfs
Year Completed1965 (61 years old)
NID IDIL00623

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: October 17, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: IDNR

Ownership

CITY OF VANDALIA

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Vandalia Municipal Reservoir Dam?

Vandalia Municipal Reservoir 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 Vandalia Municipal Reservoir Dam?

Vandalia Municipal Reservoir Dam is owned by CITY OF VANDALIA (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Vandalia Municipal Reservoir Dam built?

Vandalia Municipal Reservoir Dam was completed in 1965, making it 61 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 Vandalia Municipal Reservoir Dam?

Vandalia Municipal Reservoir Dam serves the following purposes: Recreation, Water Supply. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Vandalia Municipal Reservoir Dam?

Vandalia Municipal Reservoir Dam has a dam height of 50 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 Vandalia Municipal Reservoir Dam last inspected?

Vandalia Municipal Reservoir Dam was last inspected on October 17, 2022. 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.