Patterson Lake Dam
Patterson Lake Dam is an earth dam located in Clay County, Illinois, built in 1926. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification.
About Patterson Lake Dam
The primary purpose of Patterson Lake Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by L. P. Fishing Club (private). It impounds the Trib Dismal Creek near Louisville.
The dam stands 31 feet tall and stretches 535 feet across, and has a maximum storage capacity of 309 acre-feet. Completed in 1926, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.
This dam has a significant hazard potential classification, meaning that a failure could cause significant economic damage — flooding roads, bridges, or property downstream — but is not expected to result in loss of life. The most recent inspection on record was 06/28/2023.
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Location
| State | Illinois |
| County | Clay |
| Nearest City | Louisville |
| River/Stream | Trib Dismal Creek |
| Coordinates | 38.87471, -88.67314 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 31 ft |
| Dam Height | 31 ft |
| Dam Length | 535 ft |
| Year Completed | 1926 (100 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 309 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 309 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 270 acre-ft |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | L. P. FISHING CLUB |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Not Available |
| Last Inspection | 06/28/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | IL00129 |
| Federal ID | IL00129 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |