Shipman Reservoir Dam is an earth dam located in Macoupin County, Illinois, built in 1967. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification.
Dam profile
NID height · 36 ft36 ft tall and 385 ft long, taller than 82% 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 Shipman Reservoir Dam
The primary purpose of Shipman Reservoir 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 Village of Shipman (private). It impounds the Trib Coop Branch near Medora.
The dam stands 36 feet tall and stretches 385 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 13 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 218 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1967, 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. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 04/07/2025.
At 36 feet, this dam is taller than 82% of dams nationwide.
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Location
| State | Illinois |
| County | Macoupin |
| Nearest City | Medora |
| River/Stream | Trib Coop Branch |
| Coordinates | 39.12498, -90.05049 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 36 ft |
| Dam Height | 36 ft |
| Dam Length | 385 ft |
| Year Completed | 1967 (59 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 218 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 218 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 114 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 13 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 1,873 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Village of Shipman |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Not assessed |
| Last Inspection | 04/07/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | IL01042 |
| Federal ID | IL01042 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |