Ferne Clyffe Lake Dam dam
Ferne Clyffe Lake Dam
Located in Johnson County, Illinois, the Ferne Clyffe Lake Dam stands as a vital structure for water resource management and recreation in the area. Constructed in 1960 by HURST-ROSCHE, INC., this earth dam boasts a height of 33 feet and a length of 800 feet, providing necessary storage for the surrounding region. With a primary purpose of recreation, the dam offers a serene lake environment for visitors to enjoy various water activities.
Managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), the Ferne Clyffe Lake Dam is state-regulated and regularly inspected to ensure its safety and functionality. The dam's spillway, with a width of 76 feet, allows for controlled water release during periods of excess flow. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam is categorized as having a moderate risk level, indicating the importance of ongoing monitoring and risk management measures.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Ferne Clyffe Lake Dam serves as a fascinating case study in dam engineering and maintenance. With its scenic location along the TRIB BUCK BRANCH stream, this structure plays a crucial role in both water storage and recreational opportunities for the local community. As efforts continue to keep the dam in optimal condition, its significance in the region's water resource management remains paramount.
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 Ferne Clyffe Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cache River At Forman | 3 cfs | → |
| Crab Orchard Creek Near Marion | 2 cfs | → |
| South Fork Saline River Nr Carrier Mills | 22 cfs | → |
| Lusk Creek Near Eddyville | 16 cfs | → |
| Big Muddy River At Rte 127 At Murphysboro | 523 cfs | → |
| Big Muddy River At Plumfield | 256 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Ferne Clyffe Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Hickory Johnson County
- Reservoir Road 11298, Williamson County
- Devil's Kitchen Boat Dock
- Broken Handle Lane 2599, Williamson County
- 950 North Williamson County
- Spillway Road Williamson County
Campgrounds
- Turkey Ridge Tent Campground
- Devil's Kitchen Campground
- Camp Ondessonk
- Little Grassy Campground & Marina
- Horse Campground
- Red Bud Campground
Fishing spots
- Dutchman Lake
- Lake Of Egypt
- Little Cache Lake #1 (Bowman Lake)
- One Horse Gap Lake
- Whoopie Cat Lake
- Lake Tecumseh
Paddle runs
- 1 Mile West Of Alto Pass, Il To 1/2 Mile South Of Confluence With Clear Creek, West Of Trail Of Tears State Forest
- 1 Minle Southwest Of Delwood, Il (Sec. 18, T11s, R13e) To Reesville, 1/4 Mile South Of The Confluence With Sugar Creek
- Bridge At Eddyville Blacktop To Confluence With Ohio River At Golconda,Il
- Source, About 2 Miles East Of Delwood, Il (Sec 10, T11s, R6e) To Bridge At Eddyville Blacktop (Se1/4,Sec.16,T12s, R6e)
- Wallace Cemetery Approx 2.5 Miles Nw Of Herod, Il To Confluence With Ohio River At Golconda Jobs Corp Center
- 1/2 Mile Downstream Of Confluence With Kinkaid Creek To Confluence With Mississippi River, Approx 4 Miles South Of Grand Tower, Il
Track Ferne Clyffe Lake 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 Ferne Clyffe Lake Dam
Where does the data for Ferne Clyffe 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 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 Ferne Clyffe Lake Dam.