Hawthorne Hills Lake Dam dam
Hawthorne Hills Lake Dam
Hawthorne Hills Lake Dam, located in Plumfield, Illinois, is a privately owned structure with its primary purpose being recreation. Built in 1969, this earth dam stands at a height of 18 feet and spans 483 feet in length, providing a storage capacity of 266 acre-feet. The dam overlooks the TRIB CASEY FORK river and is regulated by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, ensuring regular inspections and enforcement of safety measures.
With a spillway width of 85 feet and uncontrolled outlet gates, Hawthorne Hills Lake Dam has a significant hazard potential, prompting a moderate risk assessment. Despite its age, the dam's condition assessment is not available, underscoring the need for ongoing monitoring and risk management measures. This dam holds a special allure for water resource and climate enthusiasts, offering a glimpse into the intricate balance between human recreation and environmental conservation efforts in the Jefferson County area.
As water enthusiasts and climate advocates delve into the intricacies of Hawthorne Hills Lake Dam, its unique design features such as buttress core types and uncontrolled spillways present a fascinating study in dam engineering. The dam's proximity to the TRIB CASEY FORK river adds to its ecological significance, making it a focal point for discussions on water conservation and management. With a history dating back to the late 1960s, this privately owned dam serves as a reminder of the critical role that infrastructure plays in shaping our relationship with water resources and the environment.
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 Hawthorne Hills Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Casey Fork At Mount Vernon | 6 cfs | → |
| Rayse Creek Near Waltonville | 4 cfs | → |
| Skillet Fork At Wayne City | 27 cfs | → |
| East Fork Kaskaskia River Near Sandoval | 10 cfs | → |
| Little Crooked Creek Near New Minden | 6 cfs | → |
| Kaskaskia River At Carlyle | 2,260 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Hawthorne Hills Lake Dam.
Track Hawthorne Hills 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 Hawthorne Hills Lake Dam
Where does the data for Hawthorne Hills 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 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 Hawthorne Hills Lake Dam.