Dayton is a significant water resource in LaSalle, Illinois, located along the Fox River. Owned by a state agency and regulated by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, this dam was designed by Stone & Webster and completed in 1925 for the primary purpose of navigation, with additional benefits for hydroelectric power generation and recreation. With a structural height of 26.4 feet and a spillway width of 600 feet, Dayton provides crucial storage capacity of 1800 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 41,200 cubic feet per second.

Despite its low hazard potential, Dayton faces a very high risk due to its age and location. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission oversees its operations, inspections, and regulatory compliance, ensuring its continued safe and efficient functioning. The dam's emergency action plan was last revised in January 2021, emphasizing the importance of preparedness and risk management in this high-risk area. With a history dating back almost a century, Dayton remains a vital infrastructure for water resource management, flood control, and recreational activities in the region.