Tall Tree Lake Dam dam
Tall Tree Lake Dam
Tall Tree Lake Dam in Illinois, completed in 1964, stands at a height of 29 feet and stretches 1065 feet in length, serving primarily for recreational purposes. Located in Johnson County near Karnak, the dam overlooks the TRIB BLUE BRANCH stream and is owned privately. The state-regulated dam falls under the jurisdiction of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources with provisions for permitting, inspection, and enforcement in place.
With a maximum storage capacity of 415 acre-feet, Tall Tree Lake Dam boasts a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating of 3. Although lacking in detailed condition assessment data, the dam features uncontrolled spillways and outlets, emphasizing its reliance on natural hydraulic processes. The dam's risk management measures and emergency action plan status remain undisclosed, hinting at potential areas for improvement and further evaluation by relevant authorities.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate change can appreciate Tall Tree Lake Dam as a recreational landmark in Illinois, showcasing the harmonious blend of human intervention and natural landscapes. As a privately owned structure with state oversight, the dam symbolizes the delicate balance between water management for leisure activities and ecological preservation. Its modest hazard potential and moderate risk assessment underscore the importance of ongoing monitoring and maintenance to ensure the safety and sustainability of this scenic water feature.
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 Tall Tree Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cache River At Forman | 317 cfs | → |
| Crab Orchard Creek Near Marion | 5 cfs | → |
| South Fork Saline River Nr Carrier Mills | 38 cfs | → |
| Lusk Creek Near Eddyville | 3 cfs | → |
| Bayou Creek Near Grahamville | 5 cfs | → |
| Little Bayou Creek Near Grahamville | 1 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Tall Tree 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 Tall Tree Lake Dam
Where does the data for Tall Tree 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 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.