Aurora - West Dam
Aurora - West Dam is a gravity dam located in Kane County, Illinois, built in 1930. It carries a Low hazard potential classification.
About Aurora - West Dam
The primary purpose of Aurora - West 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 City Of Aurora (public utility). It impounds the Fox River near Aurora.
The dam stands 7 feet tall and stretches 180 feet across, and has a maximum storage capacity of 80 acre-feet. Completed in 1930, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.
This dam has a low hazard potential classification, meaning that failure would cause minimal damage, limited primarily to the dam owner's property, with no expected loss of life. The most recent inspection on record was 11/21/2025.
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Location
| State | Illinois |
| County | Kane |
| Nearest City | Aurora |
| River/Stream | Fox River |
| Coordinates | 41.75874, -88.31516 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| NID Height | 7 ft |
| Dam Height | 7 ft |
| Dam Length | 180 ft |
| Year Completed | 1930 (96 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 80 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 80 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 80 acre-ft |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | CITY OF AURORA |
| Owner Type | Public Utility |
| Hazard Classification | Low |
| Condition Assessment | Not Available |
| Last Inspection | 11/21/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | IL00918 |
| Federal ID | IL00918 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |