Marseilles Lock And Dam dam
Marseilles Lock And Dam
Marseilles Lock and Dam, located on the Illinois River in LaSalle County, Illinois, is a vital federal water resource structure managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Completed in 1933, this concrete gravity dam plays a crucial role in facilitating navigation along the Illinois River, with a single lock measuring 600 feet in length and 110 feet in width. Despite its age, the dam has a structural height of 58 feet and a hydraulic height of 27 feet, ensuring its continued functionality in managing water levels and facilitating safe passage for vessels.
With a storage capacity of 14,000 acre-feet, Marseilles Lock and Dam serves as a key component in the USACE's flood risk management strategy for the Illinois River system. The dam's hazard potential is deemed significant, prompting regular inspections and emergency preparedness measures to mitigate potential risks. Through ongoing monitoring, maintenance, and collaboration with local emergency managers, USACE works diligently to safeguard the surrounding communities and infrastructure from the impacts of severe weather events and fluctuating water levels. As a cornerstone of water resource management in the region, Marseilles Lock and Dam exemplifies the importance of proactive risk management and public safety in the face of changing climate 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 Marseilles Lock And Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois River At Marseilles | 5,300 cfs | → |
| Fox River At Dayton | 1,580 cfs | → |
| Vermilion River Near Leonore | 508 cfs | → |
| Mazon River Near Coal City | 177 cfs | → |
| Kankakee River Near Wilmington | 3,160 cfs | → |
| Blackberry Creek Near Yorkville | 36 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Marseilles Lock And Dam.
Boat launches
- East 2425th Road Lasalle County
- S Main Street 2505, Seneca
- Calumet Street Ottawa
- Courtney Street Ottawa
- Il 71 Lasalle County
- William G. Stratton State Park
Campgrounds
- Illini State Park Campground
- Illini State Park
- Tony's Cabin
- Starved Rock State Park
- Horseback Campground @ Matthiessen State Park
- Desplaines Conservational Park
Fishing spots
Track Marseilles Lock And 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 Marseilles Lock And Dam
Where does the data for Marseilles Lock And 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 Significant 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 Marseilles Lock And Dam.