West Frankfort New City Lake Dam dam
West Frankfort New City Lake Dam
West Frankfort New City Lake Dam, also known as New City Lake, is a vital water resource in Franklin County, Illinois. Owned by the local government, this earth dam was completed in 1945 and serves multiple purposes, including recreation and water storage. With a height of 25 feet and a length of 1155 feet, the dam impounds Stevens Creek and Ewing Creek tributaries, creating a surface area of 206 acres and a drainage area of 7.78 square miles.
Managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), West Frankfort New City Lake Dam has a high hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating. The uncontrolled spillway has a width of 125 feet, capable of handling a maximum discharge of 9750 cubic feet per second. Despite its age, the dam is regularly inspected and maintained, with the last inspection conducted in July 2019. While the condition assessment is not available, emergency action plans have been prepared to ensure public safety in case of any unforeseen events.
Located in West Frankfort, Illinois, this dam is an essential infrastructure for water management and recreational activities in the region. With its historical significance and ongoing regulatory oversight, West Frankfort New City Lake Dam stands as a testament to the importance of sustainable water resource management in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 West Frankfort New City Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Big Muddy River At Plumfield | 118 cfs | → |
| Crab Orchard Creek Near Marion | 1 cfs | → |
| South Fork Saline River Nr Carrier Mills | 21 cfs | → |
| Casey Fork At Mount Vernon | 6 cfs | → |
| Rayse Creek Near Waltonville | 1 cfs | → |
| Big Muddy River At Rte 127 At Murphysboro | 318 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near West Frankfort New City Lake Dam.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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About West Frankfort New City Lake Dam
Where does the data for West Frankfort New City Lake 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 below 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.
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.