Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Need help on dam height!

Here's my situation, I found a contractor for my pond that was recommended by 3 different people.
I'm confident in his ability to construct what i'm looking for, but in W. IL the dam can not be any higher the 24.9 ft. (unless I get an engineer that will design and stamp the plans) The builder commented that he's built numerous ponds over the 24.9 height w/ out the owners having any problems!

Have any of you had any problems with County
inspecting you dam or depths?

The engineer would add quite a bit to the cost, but is the best choice in the long run?

Thanks for any advice!

State or otherwise specified limits on dam height, surface acreage, and/or water volume for permitless ponds are not uncommon. IIRC the Ohio limits are 25 feet and 10 acres.

How big a pond/lake are you contemplating? How high would you make your dam if there was no permit limitation?

(sorry...couldn't resist)

I would like the dam to go 27 ft, that would give me around 7 surface acres. (according to the contractor)

Don,
I imagine that you don't want to tip your hand to the "authorities" for obvious reasons. Can you anonymously discuss a generic situation with your county NRCS office to get a reaction? Or, if that is too close to home, maybe a bordering county office? My experiences with a number of Illinois NRCS offices has been nothing less than outstanding and rewarding. The closest to W. Ill. I got was a bit more north at Mercer county and that was a great contact.