Visitor Center Dam dam
Visitor Center Dam
Visitor Center Dam, situated in Williamson County, Illinois, serves as a vital structure for managing water resources and promoting wildlife conservation in the region. Owned and regulated by the Fish and Wildlife Service, this earth dam was completed in 2009 for the primary purpose of creating a Fish and Wildlife Pond. With a design by BASEPOINT, the dam stands at a height of 21 feet and spans a length of 1065 feet, holding a maximum storage capacity of 380 acre-feet.
The dam's hydraulic and structural components were last modified in 2009, ensuring its continued functionality and safety. With a low hazard potential and satisfactory condition assessment, Visitor Center Dam is well-equipped to handle its maximum discharge of 160 cubic feet per second. The controlled spillway, outlet gates, and rock and soil foundations further enhance the dam's resilience, making it a crucial asset for water management and wildlife preservation efforts in the area.
Despite its low hazard potential, the risk assessment for Visitor Center Dam indicates a very high risk level, emphasizing the importance of ongoing monitoring and risk management measures. The dam's association with the Crab Orchard Lake-TR watershed underscores its significance in the local ecosystem. As a hub for recreational activities and a sanctuary for diverse wildlife, Visitor Center Dam stands as a testament to the intersection of water resource management, climate resilience, and conservation efforts in Illinois.
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 Visitor Center Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Crab Orchard Creek Near Marion | 4 cfs | → |
| Big Muddy River At Plumfield | 516 cfs | → |
| Big Muddy River At Rte 127 At Murphysboro | 6,090 cfs | → |
| South Fork Saline River Nr Carrier Mills | 942 cfs | → |
| Cache River At Forman | 3,860 cfs | → |
| Lusk Creek Near Eddyville | 14 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Visitor Center 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 Visitor Center Dam
Where does the data for Visitor Center 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.