Channahon Dam dam
Channahon Dam
Channahon Dam, also known as Dupage River Spillway, is a vital structure located in Channahon, Illinois, along the Dupage River. Built in 1930, this earth dam stands at 25 feet high and spans 1200 feet in length, serving primarily for navigation purposes. With a controlled spillway type and a maximum discharge capacity of 15,000 cubic feet per second, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water flow and enhancing recreational activities in the area.
Owned and regulated by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), Channahon Dam has a low hazard potential and a very high risk assessment rating, indicating its importance for ensuring public safety and water resource management. Although the dam does not have outlet gates or associated structures, it provides essential flood control measures and supports a drainage area of 374 square miles. The dam's condition assessment is currently not available, but regular inspections are conducted every five years to ensure its structural integrity and functionality.
Furthermore, the dam's location in Will County, Illinois, and its proximity to the Chicago District add to its significance in the region's water resource management efforts. Channahon Dam's historical value, combined with its practical benefits for navigation and recreation, make it a key landmark for water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in understanding the intersection of infrastructure, environmental conservation, and public safety in the Midwest.
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 Channahon Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Kankakee River Near Wilmington | 3,240 cfs | → |
| Du Page River At Shorewood | 310 cfs | → |
| Hickory Creek At Joliet | 51 cfs | → |
| Mazon River Near Coal City | 217 cfs | → |
| Long Run Near Lemont | 6 cfs | → |
| Blackberry Creek Near Yorkville | 34 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Channahon Dam.
Boat launches
- West Shepley Road Channahon
- Channahon Road Joliet
- Cottage Road Will County
- Goose Lake Road 3903, Grundy County
- Novy Road Shadow Lakes
- Shadow Lakes
Campgrounds
- Des Plaines State Conservation Area
- Desplaines Conservational Park
- Kankakee River State Park
- Tony's Cabin
- Davis Creek Group Camp
- Illini State Park Campground
Fishing spots
Track Channahon 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 Channahon Dam
Where does the data for Channahon 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 Channahon Dam.