Lake Le-Aqua-Na Dam dam
Lake Le-Aqua-Na Dam
Lake Le-Aqua-Na Dam, located in Lena, Illinois, is a state-owned structure managed by the Illinois Department of Conservation. Completed in 1955, this Earth-type dam stands at 44 feet high and spans 680 feet across Waddams Creek. With a primary purpose of recreation, the dam provides a picturesque setting for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy activities such as fishing and boating on its 47-acre surface area.
The dam has a storage capacity of 1,013 acre-feet and a drainage area of 3.7 square miles. It features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 67 feet and a maximum discharge rate of 3,971 cubic feet per second. Although it has a significant hazard potential, its risk assessment is moderate. The dam's condition assessment is currently unavailable, but regular inspections are conducted every three years to ensure its structural integrity and safety.
Despite its age, Lake Le-Aqua-Na Dam continues to be a popular destination for water resource and climate enthusiasts seeking to experience the beauty of nature in Stephenson County, Illinois. Its scenic surroundings and recreational opportunities make it a valuable asset for the local community and a must-visit location for those interested in water resource management and climate conservation.
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 Lake Le-Aqua-Na Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Pecatonica River At Martintown | 922 cfs | → |
| Pecatonica River At Freeport | 1,000 cfs | → |
| Pecatonica River At Darlington | 305 cfs | → |
| East Br Pecatonica River Near Blanchardville | 213 cfs | → |
| Sugar River Near Brodhead | 453 cfs | → |
| Apple River Near Hanover | 94 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Le-Aqua-Na Dam.
Boat launches
- West Cedarville Road Lena
- Pecatonica River -- Pecatonica Bridge At Sth 11
- Beckman Lake -- Cadiz Springs State Park
- Pecatonica River -- Sargent Rd Access
- Jane Addams Trail Freeport
- Pecatonica River -- Gratiot Conservation Club Boat Launch
Campgrounds
- Lake-Le-Aqua-Na Sra--Pine Ridge Campground
- Winslow Community Park
- Walnut Grove Campground
- Canyon Ridge Camping Area
- Wolf Creek Cg
- Camp Office
Paddle runs
Track Lake Le-Aqua-Na 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 Lake Le-Aqua-Na Dam
Where does the data for Lake Le-Aqua-Na 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 Significant 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 Lake Le-Aqua-Na Dam.