Rend Dam dam
Rend Dam
Rend Dam, also known as Rend Lake, is a concrete dam located in Benton, Illinois, along the Big Muddy River. Completed in 1971 by the US Army Corps of Engineers, the dam stands at 54 feet high and spans a length of 10,228 feet, with a storage capacity of over 600,000 acre-feet. The primary purpose of Rend Dam is flood risk reduction, while also serving purposes such as fish and wildlife pond, recreation, and water supply.
Managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers, Rend Dam plays a crucial role in managing water levels and mitigating flood risks in the area. Despite being classified as having a high hazard potential, the dam is regularly monitored and inspected to ensure its structural integrity. The Corps works closely with local emergency managers and the public to raise awareness of the dam and develop emergency action plans in case of a dam-related emergency. Additionally, ongoing maintenance and repairs are performed to keep the dam functioning effectively and safely.
With a focus on risk management and public safety, the US Army Corps of Engineers at Rend Dam takes proactive measures to address flood risks associated with the dam. By prioritizing activities that reduce risks, engaging with local emergency managers, and updating emergency action plans, the Corps ensures that the dam remains a reliable and secure infrastructure for water resource management in the region.
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 Rend Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Big Muddy River At Plumfield | 317 cfs | → |
| Rayse Creek Near Waltonville | 8 cfs | → |
| Casey Fork At Mount Vernon | 12 cfs | → |
| Crab Orchard Creek Near Marion | 2 cfs | → |
| Big Muddy River At Rte 127 At Murphysboro | 815 cfs | → |
| Skillet Fork At Wayne City | 196 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Rend Dam.
Boat launches
- Trailhead Lane Franklin County
- Rend Lake Bike Trail Franklin County
- Franklin County
- Illinois Route 154 Franklin County
- Illinois Route 37 Franklin County
Campgrounds
- Pyramid State Park
- Washington County Lake State Conservation Area
- Devil's Kitchen Campground
- Little Grassy Campground & Marina
- Lake Murphysboro State Park
Fishing spots
- Lake Of Egypt
- Dutchman Lake
- Little Cache Lake #1 (Bowman Lake)
- One Horse Gap Lake
- Lake Tecumseh
- Whoopie Cat Lake
Paddle runs
- 1/2 Mile Downstream Of Confluence With Kinkaid Creek To Confluence With Mississippi River, Approx 4 Miles South Of Grand Tower, Il
- 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
- 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
- Bridge At Eddyville Blacktop To Confluence With Ohio River At Golconda,Il
Track Rend 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 Rend Dam
Where does the data for Rend 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 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 Rend Dam.