Micks Lake Dam dam
Micks Lake Dam
Micks Lake Dam, located in Mascoutah, Illinois, was completed in 1964 with a primary purpose of recreation. The earth dam stands at a height of 25 feet and stretches 295 feet in length, holding a storage capacity of 175 acre-feet. Managed by a private owner, the dam is regulated by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its safety and functionality.
Situated on the tributary East Fork Silver Creek, Micks Lake Dam serves as a low hazard potential structure with an uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates. Despite its moderate risk assessment rating, the dam has not had a condition assessment reported, indicating a level of uncertainty regarding its current state. With a risk management plan yet to be established, there is a need for proactive measures to mitigate potential hazards and safeguard the surrounding community and environment from any unforeseen events.
As an integral part of the local water resource infrastructure, Micks Lake Dam offers recreational opportunities while also posing certain risks that require careful monitoring and management. With its scenic location and historical significance, the dam serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining and regulating such structures to ensure the safety and well-being of all those who benefit from its presence.
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 Micks Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Silver Creek Near Troy | 34 cfs | → |
| Judys Branch At Rte 157 At Glen Carbon | 0 cfs | → |
| Cahokia Creek At Edwardsville | 97 cfs | → |
| Shoal Creek Nr Pierron | 274 cfs | → |
| Shoal Creek Near Breese | 301 cfs | → |
| Indian Creek At Wanda | 22 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Micks Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Highland Park Road Highland
- Schiber Court Maryville
- St Ellen Mine Trail O'Fallon
- Il 111 Pontoon Beach
- Lake Drive Pontoon Beach
- Riverlands Way West Alton
Track Micks 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 Micks Lake Dam
Where does the data for Micks 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 Micks Lake Dam.