Skokie Lagoons Dredge Disposal Dam
Skokie Lagoons Dredge Disposal Dam is an earth dam located in Cook County, Illinois, built in 1990. It carries a Low hazard potential classification.
About Skokie Lagoons Dredge Disposal Dam
The primary purpose of Skokie Lagoons Dredge Disposal Dam is debris control. The dam is designed to catch sediment, rocks, and debris carried by flowing water — particularly important in areas prone to mudslides or heavy erosion. The dam is owned by Forest Preserve District Of Cook County (local government). It impounds the Trib Skokie River near Highland Park.
The dam stands 16 feet tall and stretches 1,000 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 378 acres, and has a maximum storage capacity of 360 acre-feet. Completed in 1990, the structure is 36 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 11/18/2025.
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Location
| State | Illinois |
| County | Cook |
| Nearest City | Highland Park |
| River/Stream | Trib Skokie River |
| Coordinates | 42.12500, -87.77330 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 16 ft |
| Dam Height | 16 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,000 ft |
| Year Completed | 1990 (36 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 360 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 360 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 378 acres |
| Max Discharge | 6 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Debris Control |
| Owner | FOREST PRESERVE DISTRICT OF COOK COUNTY |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Low |
| Condition Assessment | Not Available |
| Last Inspection | 11/18/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | IL50273 |
| Federal ID | IL50273 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |