Lake Benton Dam
Lake Benton Dam is an earth dam located in Franklin County, Illinois, built in 1939. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification.
About Lake Benton Dam
The primary purpose of Lake Benton Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by City Of Benton (local government). It impounds the Marcum Branch near Zeigler.
The dam stands 22 feet tall and stretches 1,100 feet across, and has a maximum storage capacity of 873 acre-feet. Completed in 1939, 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 10/11/2024.
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Location
| State | Illinois |
| County | Franklin |
| Nearest City | Zeigler |
| River/Stream | Marcum Branch |
| Coordinates | 38.05492, -88.91685 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 22 ft |
| Dam Height | 22 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,100 ft |
| Year Completed | 1939 (87 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 873 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 873 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 371 acre-ft |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | CITY OF BENTON |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Not Available |
| Last Inspection | 10/11/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | IL00057 |
| Federal ID | IL00057 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |