Carbondale Reservoir Dam dam
Carbondale Reservoir Dam
Carbondale Reservoir Dam, located in Jackson County, Illinois, was completed in 1926 and serves as a vital water resource for the region. With a primary purpose of recreation, the dam also helps with water supply, storing up to 480 acre-feet of water. The dam, standing at a height of 33 feet and a length of 2400 feet, creates a surface area of 160 acres and regulates the flow of the Piles Fork river.
Managed by the local government and regulated by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Carbondale Reservoir Dam poses a high hazard potential due to its design and location. Despite its age, the dam has undergone regular inspections, with the last one conducted in July 2020. While the dam's condition assessment is currently not available, emergency action plans were prepared in 1992 to mitigate risks associated with potential failures.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Carbondale Reservoir Dam offers a fascinating look into the intersection of human infrastructure and natural ecosystems. As a key player in the region's water management system, the dam provides valuable insights into how we can balance the needs of recreation, water supply, and environmental conservation in a changing climate.
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 Carbondale Reservoir Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Big Muddy River At Rte 127 At Murphysboro | 5,680 cfs | → |
| Big Muddy River At Plumfield | 461 cfs | → |
| Crab Orchard Creek Near Marion | 4 cfs | → |
| Cache River At Forman | 3,100 cfs | → |
| South Fork Saline River Nr Carrier Mills | 526 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River At Thebes | 324,000 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Carbondale Reservoir 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 Carbondale Reservoir Dam
Where does the data for Carbondale Reservoir 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.