Vesper Lake Dam
Key Takeaway
Vesper Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in Illinois. It was completed in 1955 and is 71 years old. Its primary use is recreation.
Physical Details
| Dam Height | 24 ft (taller than 40.5% in IL) |
| Dam Length | 225 ft |
| Dam Type | Earth |
| Max Storage | 54 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 48 acre-ft |
| Year Completed | 1955 (71 years old) |
| Year Modified | 2014 |
| NID ID | IL00199 |
Safety Information
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?
Ownership
WILLIAM F. VESPER
Private
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What is the hazard classification of Vesper Lake Dam?
Vesper 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 Vesper Lake Dam?
Vesper Lake Dam is owned by WILLIAM F. VESPER (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.
When was Vesper Lake Dam built?
Vesper Lake Dam was completed in 1955, making it 71 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 Vesper Lake Dam?
Vesper 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 Vesper Lake Dam?
Vesper Lake Dam has a dam height of 24 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 Vesper Lake Dam last inspected?
Vesper Lake Dam was last inspected on July 6, 2022. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.