Defrates-shaeffer Lake Dam is an earth dam located in Morgan County, Illinois, built in 1976. It carries a Low hazard potential classification.
Dam profile
NID height · 26 ft26 ft tall and 185 ft long, taller than 55% 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 Defrates-shaeffer Lake Dam
The primary purpose of Defrates-shaeffer Lake Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by De Frates Shaeffer Land Company (private). It impounds the Trib Sandy Creek near Winchester.
The dam stands 26 feet tall and stretches 185 feet across, and has a maximum storage capacity of 69 acre-feet. Completed in 1976, the structure is 50 years old.
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 04/18/2024.
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Location
| State | Illinois |
| County | Morgan |
| Nearest City | Winchester |
| River/Stream | Trib Sandy Creek |
| Coordinates | 39.66699, -90.29282 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 26 ft |
| Dam Height | 26 ft |
| Dam Length | 185 ft |
| Year Completed | 1976 (50 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 69 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 69 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 43 acre-ft |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | De Frates Shaeffer Land Company |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Low |
| Condition Assessment | Not assessed |
| Last Inspection | 04/18/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | IL00985 |
| Federal ID | IL00985 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |