Washington County Lake Dam dam
Washington County Lake Dam
Washington County Lake Dam, located in Pinkneyville, Illinois, is a state-owned structure constructed in 1962 by Rochester & Goodell. The dam, built for recreational purposes, stands at a height of 26 feet and spans 640 feet in length along Locust Creek. With a maximum storage capacity of 4,232 acre-feet, the dam serves as a popular spot for outdoor activities in Washington County, Illinois.
Although classified as having a low hazard potential, Washington County Lake Dam is subject to state regulations, permitting, inspections, and enforcement by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Despite its moderate risk assessment rating, the dam's condition assessment is currently unavailable, and emergency action preparedness information is not updated. With its uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates, the dam remains a significant feature in the St. Louis District, offering recreational opportunities while actively managed to ensure public safety and environmental protection.
Overall, Washington County Lake Dam serves as a vital resource for water recreation enthusiasts in Illinois, offering a serene setting for fishing, boating, and picnicking. While the dam's risk assessment indicates a moderate level of concern, its low hazard potential suggests that proper regulation and maintenance are in place to mitigate any potential risks. As a state-regulated structure, the dam reflects the commitment to ensuring the safety and sustainability of water resources in Washington County, Illinois, while providing a picturesque backdrop for outdoor enjoyment.
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 Washington County Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little Crooked Creek Near New Minden | 8 cfs | → |
| Rayse Creek Near Waltonville | 11 cfs | → |
| Kaskaskia River Near Venedy Station | 8,740 cfs | → |
| Kaskaskia River At Carlyle | 6,090 cfs | → |
| Shoal Creek Near Breese | 972 cfs | → |
| Casey Fork At Mount Vernon | 15 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Washington County Lake Dam.
⚓ Boat launches
- Jefferson County
- Franklin County
- North 1st Street 2252, Fayetteville
- Illinois Route 154 Franklin County
- Rend Lake Bike Trail Franklin County
⛺ Campgrounds
- Washington County Lake State Conservation Area
- Pyramid State Park
- Dam West - Lake Carlyle
- Eldon Hazlet State Park
- Coles Creek - Lake Carlyle
- Boulder - Lake Carlyle
Track Washington County Lake 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 Washington County Lake Dam
Where does the data for Washington County 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 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 Washington County Lake Dam.