Alpine Dam dam
Alpine Dam
Alpine Dam, also known as Reuben Aldeen Park Lake, is a vital structure located in Rockford, Illinois, owned by the local government. Completed in 1942, this earth dam stands at a height of 48 feet and stretches for 600 feet, serving primarily for flood risk reduction along Keith Creek. With a storage capacity of 1770 acre-feet, it plays a crucial role in managing water levels during periods of heavy rainfall and potential flooding events in the region.
Managed by the City of Rockford, Alpine Dam is regulated by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity. The dam features a controlled spillway with a width of 107 feet and other controlled outlet gates. With a hazard potential rated as high and a risk assessment categorizing it as very high, Alpine Dam is a key component in mitigating flood risks and protecting the surrounding areas from potential inundation. The dam's location in Winnebago County, Illinois, underlines its importance in safeguarding the community from water-related emergencies.
As a significant infrastructure project in the Rock Island District, Alpine Dam is a critical asset for water resource and climate enthusiasts. Its role in flood risk reduction, high hazard potential, and very high risk assessment highlight the importance of proper management and maintenance to ensure the safety and well-being of the local community. With a history dating back to the early 1940s, Alpine Dam continues to serve as a vital structure in the region, showcasing the ongoing commitment to water resource management and climate resilience in the face of changing environmental conditions.
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 Alpine Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Kishwaukee River Near Perryville | 756 cfs | → |
| Kishwaukee River At Belvidere | 332 cfs | → |
| Rock River At Rockton | 7,470 cfs | → |
| South Branch Kishwaukee River Nr Fairdale Il | 173 cfs | → |
| Pecatonica River Nr Shirland | 1,880 cfs | → |
| Rock River At Byron | 8,510 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Alpine Dam.
Boat launches
- Rock River Recreation Path Rockford
- Cherry Valley Path Cherry Valley
- Harlem Road Winnebago County
- Lakecrest Road Winnebago County
- Draft Machesney Park
- Freeport Road Rockton
Campgrounds
- Hononegah Forest Preserve Campground
- Rivers Edge Campground
- Sugar River Forest Preserve - Pine Tree
- Sugar River Forest Preserve - Riverfront
- White Oak
- Shady Rest Camping Area
Fishing spots
Track Alpine 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 Alpine Dam
Where does the data for Alpine 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 High 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 Alpine Dam.