Fondulac Dam
Fondulac Dam is a gravity dam located in Tazewell County, Illinois, built in 1949. It carries a High hazard potential classification.
About Fondulac Dam
The primary purpose of Fondulac Dam is flood risk reduction. The dam is designed to control downstream flooding by temporarily storing excess water during storms and releasing it at a controlled rate. The dam is owned by Usace - Rock Island District (federal). It impounds the Fondulac Creek near East Peoria.
The dam stands 74 feet tall and stretches 1,000 feet across, has a maximum storage capacity of 3,780 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 5 square miles. Completed in 1949, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.
This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 04/14/2025.
At 74 feet, this dam is taller than 97% of all dams in the United States.
Living Downstream
If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The Illinois dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | Illinois |
| County | Tazewell |
| Nearest City | East Peoria |
| River/Stream | Fondulac Creek |
| Coordinates | 40.68343, -89.52521 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| NID Height | 74 ft |
| Dam Height | 74 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,000 ft |
| Year Completed | 1949 (77 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 3,780 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 3,780 acre-ft |
| Drainage Area | 5 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 18,100 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | USACE - Rock Island District |
| Owner Type | Federal |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Not Available |
| Last Inspection | 04/14/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | IL00006 |
| Federal ID | IL00006 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |