Airstrip Reservoir Dam
Airstrip Reservoir Dam is an earth dam located in Jersey County, Illinois, built in 1957. It carries a High hazard potential classification.
About Airstrip Reservoir Dam
The primary purpose of Airstrip Reservoir Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Mary Albert-fritz (private). It impounds the Trib Distillery Hollow near Grafton.
The dam stands 55 feet tall and stretches 500 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 7 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 170 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1957, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.
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 08/20/2025.
At 55 feet, this dam is taller than 94% of dams nationwide.
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 | Jersey |
| Nearest City | Grafton |
| River/Stream | Trib Distillery Hollow |
| Coordinates | 38.99194, -90.42881 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 55 ft |
| Dam Height | 55 ft |
| Dam Length | 500 ft |
| Year Completed | 1957 (69 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 170 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 170 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 128 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 7 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 18 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | MARY ALBERT-FRITZ |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Not Available |
| Last Inspection | 08/20/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | IL00665 |
| Federal ID | IL00665 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |