Lake Warren Dam dam
Lake Warren Dam
Lake Warren Dam, located in Warren County, Illinois, was completed in 1952 and serves primarily for recreational purposes. This earth dam, standing at a height of 38 feet and stretching 555 feet in length, holds a maximum storage capacity of 997 acre-feet of water with a normal storage level of 656 acre-feet. The dam overlooks the Trib Cedar Creek and is regulated by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
Despite its low hazard potential, Lake Warren Dam has a moderate risk assessment rating of 3, suggesting the need for ongoing monitoring and management measures. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates, with the last inspection conducted in 2014 and scheduled every five years. While the condition assessment is currently not available, it is essential for water resource and climate enthusiasts to stay informed about the dam's safety protocols and emergency response plans.
For those interested in water resource management and climate resilience, Lake Warren Dam offers a fascinating case study in the intersection of recreation and infrastructure. With its scenic location and historical significance, this dam showcases the importance of balancing human activities with environmental conservation efforts. As climate change continues to impact water resources, understanding the role of dams like Lake Warren in mitigating risks and ensuring public safety becomes increasingly crucial for sustainable development and community resilience.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Lake Warren Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Henderson Creek Near Oquawka | 288 cfs | → |
| Pope Creek Near Keithsburg | 123 cfs | → |
| Edwards River Near New Boston | 266 cfs | → |
| Edwards River Near Orion | 66 cfs | → |
| Spoon River At London Mills | 540 cfs | → |
| Iowa River At Wapello | 9,830 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Warren Dam.
Boat launches
- Gatewood Lane Galesburg
- Putney's Landing Access Road Henderson County
- Diversion Channel Des Moines County
- Schuyler Street Oquawka
- 4th Street 201, Keithsburg
- Des Moines County
Track Lake Warren Dam in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Lake Warren Dam
Where does the data for Lake Warren Dam come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the Low hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Lake Warren Dam.