Paradise Lake Dam dam
Paradise Lake Dam
Paradise Lake Dam, located in Madison County, Illinois, serves as a private recreational spot along the Tributary East Fork Wood River. This earth dam, with a height of 20 feet and a length of 390 feet, has a primary purpose of providing recreational opportunities for visitors. Despite its modest size, the dam is state-regulated by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, ensuring that it meets necessary safety and inspection standards.
With a high hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating, Paradise Lake Dam is closely monitored to ensure public safety. While the condition assessment is currently listed as "Not Available," regular inspections are conducted, with the last inspection taking place in June 2020. Although specific details on storage capacity and discharge rates are not provided, the dam's uncontrolled spillway and buttress core design indicate a focus on managing water levels and potential flooding risks effectively.
Enthusiasts interested in water resource management and climate change will find Paradise Lake Dam to be an intriguing case study in recreational dam infrastructure. As efforts continue to maintain its safety and functionality, the dam stands as a reminder of the importance of balancing human recreation with environmental conservation in the face of evolving climate challenges.
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 Paradise Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Indian Creek At Wanda | 22 cfs | → |
| Cahokia Creek At Edwardsville | 97 cfs | → |
| Coldwater Creek Near Black Jack | 36 cfs | → |
| Mill Creek Near Florissant | 1 cfs | → |
| Watkins Creek At Bellefontaine Nbr | 1 cfs | → |
| Watkins Creek Near Bellefontaine Neighbors | 0 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Paradise Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Riverlands Way West Alton
- Spanish Pond Road Spanish Lake
- Spanish Lake
- Mc Adams Highway Jersey County
- Old Jamestown
- Saale Road West Alton
Track Paradise 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 Paradise Lake Dam
Where does the data for Paradise 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 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 Paradise Lake Dam.