Superior Lake Dam dam
Superior Lake Dam
Superior Lake Dam, located in Mount Vernon, Illinois, was completed in 1953 by the Superior Oil Company and serves as a crucial water supply source in the region. The earth dam, with a height of 23 feet and a length of 350 feet, impounds the waters of the TRIB Big Muddy River, providing a maximum storage capacity of 729 acre-feet. The dam is regulated by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity and safety.
Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential, Superior Lake Dam is considered to have a moderate risk level, with a risk assessment rating of 3 out of 5. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 680 feet and outlet gates that are also uncontrolled. While the condition assessment of the dam is not available, the Emergency Action Plan (EAP) was last revised in 1992, indicating a need for updated emergency procedures and guidelines. With its strategic location and importance as a water supply structure, Superior Lake Dam remains a focal point for water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in the management and regulation of vital water infrastructure in Illinois.
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 Superior Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Rayse Creek Near Waltonville | 2 cfs | → |
| Casey Fork At Mount Vernon | 594 cfs | → |
| East Fork Kaskaskia River Near Sandoval | 146 cfs | → |
| Little Crooked Creek Near New Minden | 3 cfs | → |
| Kaskaskia River At Carlyle | 5,240 cfs | → |
| Skillet Fork At Wayne City | 1,290 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Superior Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Jefferson County
- Illinois Route 37 Franklin County
- Franklin County
- Hazlet State Park Boat Ramp
- Illinois Route 154 Franklin County
Campgrounds
- Washington County Lake State Conservation Area
- Coles Creek - Lake Carlyle
- Boulder - Lake Carlyle
- Dam West - Lake Carlyle
- Eldon Hazlet State Park
- Stephen A. Forbes State Park
Paddle runs
Track Superior 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 Superior Lake Dam
Where does the data for Superior 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 Superior Lake Dam.