Alton-Wood River Sportsmens Reservoir Dam dam
Alton-Wood River Sportsmens Reservoir Dam
The Alton-Wood River Sportsmens Reservoir Dam, located in Wood River, Illinois, is a private-owned structure designed by USDA NRCS for recreational purposes. Completed in 1948, this earth dam stands at a height of 33 feet and spans a length of 480 feet, holding a maximum storage capacity of 119 acre-feet of water from the TRIB COAL BRANCH CREEK. With a surface area of 11 acres and a drainage area of 0.1 square miles, the dam has a high hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating.
This dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 4 feet and outlet gates that are also uncontrolled. The dam does not have any associated locks, but it undergoes regular inspections, with the last one conducted in November 2020. The State of Illinois regulates, inspects, and enforces the operation of the dam, ensuring its safety and compliance with state regulations. Despite its age, the condition assessment of the dam is currently listed as "Not Available," highlighting the need for continued monitoring and maintenance to ensure its structural integrity and safety for nearby communities and the environment.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, the Alton-Wood River Sportsmens Reservoir Dam serves as a key recreational feature in Madison County, Illinois. Its historical significance, combined with its unique design and operational features, make it an essential part of the local landscape. As discussions around water management and dam safety continue to evolve, understanding the role of dams like this one in supporting both human activities and ecological systems is crucial for sustainable 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 Alton-Wood River Sportsmens Reservoir Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mill Creek Near Florissant | 1 cfs | → |
| Coldwater Creek Near Black Jack | 52 cfs | → |
| Indian Creek At Wanda | 53 cfs | → |
| Watkins Creek Near Bellefontaine Neighbors | 0 cfs | → |
| Watkins Creek At Bellefontaine Nbr | 1 cfs | → |
| Cahokia Creek At Edwardsville | 500 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Alton-Wood River Sportsmens Reservoir Dam.
Track Alton-Wood River Sportsmens Reservoir 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 Alton-Wood River Sportsmens Reservoir Dam
Where does the data for Alton-Wood River Sportsmens Reservoir 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 Alton-Wood River Sportsmens Reservoir Dam.