Barnes Lake Dam is an earth dam located in Marshall County, Illinois, built in 1957. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification.
Dam profile
NID height · 23 ft23 ft tall and 410 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 Barnes Lake Dam
The primary purpose of Barnes Lake Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Robert Barnes, Sr. (private). It impounds the Trib Illinois River near Lacon.
The dam stands 23 feet tall and stretches 410 feet across, and has a maximum storage capacity of 89 acre-feet. Completed in 1957, 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 04/30/2024.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | Illinois |
| County | Marshall |
| Nearest City | Lacon |
| River/Stream | Trib Illinois River |
| Coordinates | 41.01788, -89.37421 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 23 ft |
| Dam Height | 23 ft |
| Dam Length | 410 ft |
| Year Completed | 1957 (69 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 89 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 89 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 37 acre-ft |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | Robert Barnes, Sr. |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Not assessed |
| Last Inspection | 04/30/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | IL01165 |
| Federal ID | IL01165 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |