Buffalo Creek Dam
Buffalo Creek Dam is an earth dam located in Lake County, Illinois, built in 1983. It carries a High hazard potential classification.
About Buffalo Creek Dam
The primary purpose of Buffalo Creek Dam is flood risk reduction. The dam is designed to control downstream flooding by temporarily storing excess water during storms and releasing it at a controlled rate. The dam is owned by Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (public utility). It impounds the Buffalo Creek near Long Grove.
The dam stands 27 feet tall and stretches 620 feet across, and has a maximum storage capacity of 1,695 acre-feet. Completed in 1983, the structure is 43 years old.
This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 12/20/2024.
Living Downstream
If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The Illinois dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | Illinois |
| County | Lake |
| Nearest City | Long Grove |
| River/Stream | Buffalo Creek |
| Coordinates | 42.15899, -87.98639 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 27 ft |
| Dam Height | 27 ft |
| Dam Length | 620 ft |
| Year Completed | 1983 (43 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,695 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,695 acre-ft |
| Max Discharge | 19,684 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | METROPOLITAN WATER RECLAMATION DISTRICT |
| Owner Type | Public Utility |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Not Available |
| Last Inspection | 12/20/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | IL50013 |
| Federal ID | IL50013 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |