Weiss Lake Dam

TRIB BUCKEYE BRANCH· Madison, Illinois· Built 1974· Earth· 20 ft tall
Significant Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Weiss Lake Dam is classified as significant hazard in Illinois. It was completed in 1974 and is 52 years old. Its primary use is recreation. Significant hazard means failure could cause economic or environmental damage. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 20 ft (taller than 28.2% in IL)
Dam Length335 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage116 acre-ft
Normal Storage51 acre-ft
Year Completed1974 (52 years old)
NID IDIL00969

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: No
Last Inspection: August 28, 2019
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: IDNR

Ownership

CARL & JEANNE WEISS

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Weiss Lake Dam?

Weiss Lake 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 Weiss Lake Dam?

Weiss Lake Dam is owned by CARL & JEANNE WEISS (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Weiss Lake Dam built?

Weiss Lake Dam was completed in 1974, making it 52 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 Weiss Lake Dam?

Weiss 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 Weiss Lake Dam?

Weiss 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 Weiss Lake Dam last inspected?

Weiss Lake Dam was last inspected on August 28, 2019. 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.