Fordam Station Dam dam
Fordam Station Dam
Fordam Station Dam, located on the Rock River in Winnebago, Illinois, was completed in 1852 and is privately owned with a primary purpose of hydroelectric power generation. This gravity dam stands at 12 feet tall and stretches 705 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 50 acre-feet. Despite its age, the dam has a low hazard potential and is classified as having a moderate risk level.
The dam features an uncontrolled spillway, outlet gates, and is not associated with any other structures. It is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The last inspection of the dam was conducted in July 2018, with a frequency of every 5 years. While the condition assessment is not available, the dam's risk management measures are also unspecified, indicating potential areas for further evaluation and improvement in its operation and maintenance.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Fordam Station Dam serves as a historic and functional piece of infrastructure in Illinois, contributing to the region's renewable energy production through hydroelectric power generation. With its unique design and location on the Rock River, the dam presents opportunities for studying the intersection of water management, energy generation, and environmental sustainability. Continued monitoring and maintenance of the dam are essential to ensure its safety, efficiency, and resilience in the face of changing climate conditions and water resource management challenges.
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 Fordam Station Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Kishwaukee River Near Perryville | 625 cfs | → |
| Kishwaukee River At Belvidere | 258 cfs | → |
| Pecatonica River Nr Shirland | 1,650 cfs | → |
| Rock River At Rockton | 5,610 cfs | → |
| Rock River At Byron | 6,620 cfs | → |
| South Branch Kishwaukee River Nr Fairdale Il | 98 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Fordam Station Dam.
Boat launches
- Rock River Recreation Path Rockford
- Cherry Valley Path Cherry Valley
- Harlem Road Winnebago County
- Lakecrest Road Winnebago County
- Draft Machesney Park
- Lakeshore Drive 3630, Winnebago County
Campgrounds
- Hononegah Forest Preserve Campground
- Rivers Edge Campground
- Sugar River Forest Preserve - Pine Tree
- Sugar River Forest Preserve - Riverfront
- White Oak
- Shady Rest Camping Area
Fishing spots
Track Fordam Station 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 Fordam Station Dam
Where does the data for Fordam Station 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 Fordam Station Dam.