Lake Arispie Dam
Lake Arispie Dam is an earth dam located in Bureau County, Illinois, built in 1966. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification.
About Lake Arispie Dam
The primary purpose of Lake Arispie Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Bettasso & Associates (private). It impounds the Big Bureau Creek-offstream near Bureau.
The dam stands 14 feet tall and stretches 3,390 feet across, and has a maximum storage capacity of 264 acre-feet. Completed in 1966, 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 04/29/2025.
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Location
| State | Illinois |
| County | Bureau |
| Nearest City | Bureau |
| River/Stream | Big Bureau Creek-offstream |
| Coordinates | 41.30617, -89.41131 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 14 ft |
| Dam Height | 14 ft |
| Dam Length | 3,390 ft |
| Year Completed | 1966 (60 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 264 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 264 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 150 acre-ft |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | BETTASSO & ASSOCIATES |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Not Available |
| Last Inspection | 04/29/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | IL00429 |
| Federal ID | IL00429 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |