Dating back to 1848, Van Horn Dam reportedly was used by the Springfield Aqueduct Company to provide water supply and/or fire protection to sections of Springfield.  The city purchased the company in 1873, and ownership was transferred to the Springfield Water Department.  The dam was subsequently conveyed to the Park Department in 1909, for recreational usage within Van Horn Park.

Today’s Van Horn Dam project began with an Inspection and Evaluation Report.  In response to the findings of the report, Phase II of this project is currently under way, with a dam safety investigation by an Engineering and Environmental Consulting firm.  The findings of this investigation will define Phase III work.