Sam Dale Lake Dam
Sam Dale Lake Dam is an earth dam located in Wayne County, Illinois, built in 1960. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification.
About Sam Dale Lake Dam
The primary purpose of Sam Dale Lake Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Illinois Department Of Natural Resources (state). It impounds the Bobbs Creek near Wayne City.
The dam stands 22 feet tall and stretches 912 feet across, and has a maximum storage capacity of 2,385 acre-feet. Completed in 1960, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.
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 10/25/2025.
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Location
| State | Illinois |
| County | Wayne |
| Nearest City | Wayne City |
| River/Stream | Bobbs Creek |
| Coordinates | 38.53745, -88.59533 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 22 ft |
| Dam Height | 22 ft |
| Dam Length | 912 ft |
| Year Completed | 1960 (66 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 2,385 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 2,385 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 999 acre-ft |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES |
| Owner Type | State |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Not Available |
| Last Inspection | 10/25/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | IL00406 |
| Federal ID | IL00406 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |