Oakland Lake Dam is an earth dam located in Coles County, Illinois, built in 1937. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification.
Dam profile
NID height · 18 ft18 ft tall and 411 ft long. 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 Oakland Lake Dam
The primary purpose of Oakland Lake 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 Oakland (local government). It impounds the Hog Branch Creek near Oakland.
The dam stands 18 feet tall and stretches 411 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 41 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 555 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 15 square miles. Completed in 1937, 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. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 08/03/2023.
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Location
| State | Illinois |
| County | Coles |
| Nearest City | Oakland |
| River/Stream | Hog Branch Creek |
| Coordinates | 39.66279, -88.02205 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 18 ft |
| Dam Height | 18 ft |
| Dam Length | 411 ft |
| Year Completed | 1937 (89 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 555 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 555 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 143 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 41 acres |
| Drainage Area | 15 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 1,608 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | City of Oakland |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Not assessed |
| Last Inspection | 08/03/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | IL00713 |
| Federal ID | IL00713 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |