Lake Charleston Dam is an earth dam located in Coles County, Illinois, built in 1981. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification.
Dam profile
NID height · 29 ft29 ft tall and 4,400 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 Lake Charleston Dam
The primary purpose of Lake Charleston 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 Trib Embarass River near Charleston.
The dam stands 29 feet tall and stretches 4,400 feet across, and has a maximum storage capacity of 3,775 acre-feet. Completed in 1981, the structure is 45 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 09/02/2020.
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Location
| State | Illinois |
| County | Coles |
| Nearest City | Charleston |
| River/Stream | Trib Embarass River |
| Coordinates | 39.46492, -88.14054 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 29 ft |
| Dam Height | 29 ft |
| Dam Length | 4,400 ft |
| Year Completed | 1981 (45 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 3,775 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 3,775 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 2,360 acre-ft |
| Max Discharge | 150 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 | 09/02/2020 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | IL01240 |
| Federal ID | IL01240 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |