Vanwinkle Lake Dam

TRIB BIG CREEK· Fulton, Illinois· Built 1900· Earth· 20 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Vanwinkle Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in Illinois. It was completed in 1900 and is 126 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 20 ft (taller than 28.2% in IL)
Dam Length300 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage178 acre-ft
Normal Storage99 acre-ft
Surface Area19 acres
Drainage Area4 sq mi
Max Discharge1,201 cfs
Year Completed1900 (126 years old)
NID IDIL00143

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: No
Last Inspection: May 11, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: IDNR

Ownership

WALLJASPER

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Vanwinkle Lake Dam?

Vanwinkle Lake 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 Vanwinkle Lake Dam?

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

When was Vanwinkle Lake Dam built?

Vanwinkle Lake Dam was completed in 1900, making it 126 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 Vanwinkle Lake Dam?

Vanwinkle Lake 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 Vanwinkle Lake Dam?

Vanwinkle Lake Dam has a dam height of 20 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 Vanwinkle Lake Dam last inspected?

Vanwinkle Lake Dam was last inspected on May 11, 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.