Sears Dam
Sears Dam is a gravity dam located in Rock Island County, Illinois, built in 1912. It carries a Low hazard potential classification.
About Sears Dam
The primary purpose of Sears Dam is hydroelectric. The dam generates hydroelectric power by channeling water through turbines, converting the energy of flowing water into electricity. The dam is owned by State Of Illinois (state). It impounds the Rock River near Rock Island.
The dam stands 16 feet tall and stretches 460 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 570 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 850 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 11,000 square miles. Completed in 1912, the structure is over a century 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 08/29/2023.
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Location
| State | Illinois |
| County | Rock Island |
| Nearest City | Rock Island |
| River/Stream | Rock River |
| Coordinates | 41.46133, -90.57824 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| NID Height | 16 ft |
| Dam Height | 16 ft |
| Dam Length | 460 ft |
| Year Completed | 1912 (114 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 850 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 850 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 750 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 570 acres |
| Drainage Area | 11,000 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 80,000 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | State of Illinois |
| Owner Type | State |
| Hazard Classification | Low |
| Condition Assessment | Not Available |
| Last Inspection | 08/29/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | IL50471 |
| Federal ID | IL50471 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |