ILLINOIS RESERVOIR REPORT

Last Updated: December 20, 2025

Illinois' major dams and reservoirs play a crucial role in water storage, flood control, and recreational activities. Recent data from Channel Lake near Antioch, Fox Lake near Lake Villa, and Nippersink Lake at Fox Lake reveal notable variations in their storage levels. However, the data set provided for Channel Lake exhibits an erroneous current measurement (listed as -999999), implying a need for verification or an update in the dataset. On the other hand, both Fox Lake and Nippersink Lake are currently reporting gage heights significantly below their respective averages, with current levels at 2 feet compared to averages of 3.91 and 3.85 feet. These lower levels, observed on December 20, 2025, could be indicative of abnormal conditions, potentially due to factors like reduced snowpack or decreased river flows.

Cross-referencing this information with additional reliable data sources is crucial for confirming the anomalies and understanding their causes. Unfortunately, no additional source data has been provided to validate these observations. Typically, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers or the U.S. Geological Survey would provide corroborating data. The decreased gage heights at Fox Lake and Nippersink Lake during this time of the year could be a cause for concern, as it may affect water supply, recreational boating, and ecological habitats. These conditions could be linked to a variety of factors, including below-average precipitation, higher-than-usual temperatures leading to increased evaporation, or upstream water usage. Understanding the specific causes is essential for local authorities and stakeholders to manage the situation, whether that involves implementing water conservation measures or adjusting dam operations to mitigate potential impacts.

Illinois has several reservoirs and dams, primarily used for flood control, municipal water supply, and recreational activities. Major reservoirs in the state include Lake Shelbyville, Lake Springfield, Lake Decatur, and Rend Lake. These reservoirs receive water from various streams and rivers, including the Kaskaskia River, Sangamon River, and the Little Wabash River. Snowpack and mountains are not significant factors in Illinois hydrology, as the state has a relatively flat landscape. However, seasonal trends can affect water levels, with higher precipitation in the spring and lower levels in the summer. Drought conditions can also impact reservoir levels, with Lake Shelbyville experiencing record low levels in 2012 due to a severe drought. Overall, Illinois' reservoirs and dams play a critical role in managing water resources for the state's population and economy.

Illinois has several reservoirs and dams, primarily used for flood control, municipal water supply, and recreational activities. Major reservoirs in the state include Lake Shelbyville, Lake Springfield, Lake Decatur, and Rend Lake. These reservoirs receive water from various streams and rivers, including the Kaskaskia River, Sangamon River, and the Little Wabash River. Snowpack and mountains are not significant factors in Illinois hydrology, as the state has a relatively flat landscape. However, seasonal trends can affect water levels, with higher precipitation in the spring and lower levels in the summer. Drought conditions can also impact reservoir levels, with Lake Shelbyville experiencing record low levels in 2012 due to a severe drought. Overall, Illinois' reservoirs and dams play a critical role in managing water resources for the state's population and economy.