Woodfield Lakes Dam

WEST BRANCH SALT CREEK· Cook, Illinois· Built 1977· Earth· 8 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Woodfield Lakes Dam is classified as low hazard in Illinois. It was completed in 1977 and is 49 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 8 ft (taller than 2.5% in IL)
Dam Length500 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage61 acre-ft
Normal Storage10 acre-ft
Surface Area5 acres
Drainage Area3 sq mi
Max Discharge500 cfs
Year Completed1977 (49 years old)
NID IDIL50311

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: No
Last Inspection: October 22, 2018
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: IDNR

Ownership

WOODFIELD LAKE CAMPUS ASSOCIATION

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Woodfield Lakes Dam?

Woodfield Lakes 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 Woodfield Lakes Dam?

Woodfield Lakes Dam is owned by WOODFIELD LAKE CAMPUS ASSOCIATION (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Woodfield Lakes Dam built?

Woodfield Lakes Dam was completed in 1977, making it 49 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 Woodfield Lakes Dam?

Woodfield Lakes 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 Woodfield Lakes Dam?

Woodfield Lakes Dam has a dam height of 8 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 Woodfield Lakes Dam last inspected?

Woodfield Lakes Dam was last inspected on October 22, 2018. 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.