Valier Lake Dam dam
Valier Lake Dam
Located in Valier, Illinois, the Valier Lake Dam, also known as Valier Lake, was completed in 1905 by the OLD BEN COAL CO. This private dam serves as a crucial recreational spot, offering a surface area of 71 acres and a maximum storage capacity of 890 acre-feet. The dam stands at a height of 21 feet and spans a length of 1710 feet, providing a picturesque backdrop for water resource and climate enthusiasts.
The dam's primary purpose is recreation, with activities such as fishing and boating attracting visitors year-round. However, the Valier Lake Dam also poses a high hazard potential, as it has uncontrolled spillways and outlet gates. Despite its age, the dam remains state-regulated and inspected, with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources overseeing its permitting, inspection, and enforcement processes. With a drainage area of 2.5 square miles and a moderate risk assessment rating, the Valier Lake Dam continues to be a focal point for both leisure and safety considerations.
As a significant structure in the Louisville District, the Valier Lake Dam warrants attention from water resource and climate enthusiasts due to its historical significance and ongoing regulatory oversight. With its unique design as an earth dam with buttress core types, the dam presents an interesting case study for those interested in dam engineering and management practices. Visitors to the site can appreciate the beauty of Andy Creek and the surrounding Franklin County landscape while also acknowledging the importance of maintaining infrastructure for both recreational and safety purposes.
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 Valier Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Big Muddy River At Plumfield | 516 cfs | → |
| Rayse Creek Near Waltonville | 3 cfs | → |
| Casey Fork At Mount Vernon | 4 cfs | → |
| Crab Orchard Creek Near Marion | 4 cfs | → |
| Big Muddy River At Rte 127 At Murphysboro | 6,090 cfs | → |
| Skillet Fork At Wayne City | 26 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Valier 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 Valier Lake Dam
Where does the data for Valier 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.