Norris City Reservoir Dam
Norris City Reservoir Dam is an earth dam located in White County, Illinois, built in 1937. It carries a High hazard potential classification.
About Norris City Reservoir Dam
The primary purpose of Norris City Reservoir Dam is water supply. The dam stores water for municipal, industrial, or agricultural use, helping ensure a reliable supply for the surrounding area. The dam is owned by City Of Norris City (local government). It impounds the Indian Creek near Norris City.
The dam stands 20 feet tall and stretches 800 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 29 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 428 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1937, 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 05/02/2025.
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 | White |
| Nearest City | Norris City |
| River/Stream | Indian Creek |
| Coordinates | 37.97833, -88.31474 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 20 ft |
| Dam Height | 20 ft |
| Dam Length | 800 ft |
| Year Completed | 1937 (89 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 428 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 428 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 200 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 29 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 4,409 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | CITY OF NORRIS CITY |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Not Available |
| Last Inspection | 05/02/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | IL00581 |
| Federal ID | IL00581 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |