Lake Charles Dam, located in Vernon Hills, Illinois, is a concrete structure completed in 1962 with a primary purpose of flood risk reduction.
Wind
Humidity
Situated on the Seavey Drainage Ditch, this dam has a height of 9 feet and a length of 390 feet, providing a normal storage capacity of 111 acre-feet and a maximum storage of 494 acre-feet. With a surface area of 24 acres and a drainage area of 4.9 square miles, the dam has a spillway width of 50 feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 4800 cubic feet per second.
Managed by the local government, Lake Charles Dam is regulated by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and undergoes regular inspections with a high hazard potential rating. While the condition assessment is currently not available, the dam meets emergency action plan guidelines and has emergency contact information in place. Despite the moderate risk assessment score of 3, the dam has not been modified in recent years and does not have outlet gates or associated structures.
Overall, Lake Charles Dam serves as a vital infrastructure for flood risk reduction in the area, providing both recreational opportunities and critical water resource management. As a key component of the Seavey Drainage Ditch system, this dam plays a crucial role in protecting the surrounding communities from potential flooding events. With its sturdy concrete construction and regulatory oversight, Lake Charles Dam stands as a testament to effective water resource and climate management in Illinois.
Year Completed |
1962 |
Dam Length |
390 |
Dam Height |
9 |
River Or Stream |
SEAVEY DRAINAGE DITCH |
Primary Dam Type |
Concrete |
Surface Area |
24 |
Drainage Area |
4.9 |
Nid Storage |
494 |
Outlet Gates |
None |
Hazard Potential |
High |
Foundations |
Soil |
Nid Height |
9 |