Riverview Dam is an earth dam located in Coles County, Illinois, built in 1989. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification.
Dam profile
NID height · 29 ft29 ft tall and 910 ft long, taller than 65% of U.S. dams with a recorded height. Height is drawn to scale against a two-story house, about 25 ft; the profile is a generic embankment section and the water level is illustrative.
About Riverview Dam
The primary purpose of Riverview 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 Charleston (local government). It impounds the Embarras River near Greenup.
The dam stands 29 feet tall and stretches 910 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 314 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 9,450 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 786 square miles. Completed in 1989, the structure is 37 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. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 10/30/2024.
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Location
| State | Illinois |
| County | Coles |
| Nearest City | Greenup |
| River/Stream | Embarras River |
| Coordinates | 39.45799, -88.14122 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 29 ft |
| Dam Height | 29 ft |
| Dam Length | 910 ft |
| Year Completed | 1989 (37 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 9,450 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 9,450 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 750 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 314 acres |
| Drainage Area | 786 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 52,307 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | City of Charleston |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Not assessed |
| Last Inspection | 10/30/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | IL00712 |
| Federal ID | IL00712 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |