Whitley Dam

WEST BRANCH SUGAR CR· Schuyler, Illinois· Earth· 30 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Water Supply Private

Key Takeaway

Whitley Dam is classified as low hazard in Illinois. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 30 ft (taller than 61.3% in IL)
Dam Length300 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage130 acre-ft
Normal Storage90 acre-ft
Surface Area10 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge143 cfs
Year Modified2010
NID IDIL50627

Safety Information

Low Hazard

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?

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: May 11, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: IDNR

Ownership

DR. RON WHITLEY

Private

Nearby Dams

Casson Pond Dam

McDonough, IL

Low Hazard 26 ft

Gill Lake Dam

Schuyler, IL

Significant Hazard 30 ft

Rickmeyer Small Lake Dam

McDonough, IL

Low Hazard 30 ft

Rickmeyer Big Lake Dam

McDonough, IL

Low Hazard 16 ft

Waddell Dam

Schuyler, IL

Low Hazard 33 ft

Springfield Coal/Industry/Incline Pond 12 Dams

McDonough, IL

Low Hazard 34 ft

Freeman United/Industry/Pond 1 Dam

McDonough, IL

Low Hazard 31 ft

Springfield Coal/Industry/Pond 9 Dam

Schuyler, IL

Low Hazard 40 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Whitley Dam?

Whitley 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 Whitley Dam?

Whitley Dam is owned by DR. RON WHITLEY (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

What is the primary purpose of Whitley Dam?

Whitley 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 Whitley Dam?

Whitley Dam has a dam height of 30 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 Whitley Dam last inspected?

Whitley 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.