Lake Meadow Dam dam
Lake Meadow Dam
Lake Meadow Dam, located in Madison County, Illinois, is a privately owned structure that serves primarily for recreational purposes. Built in 1967, this earth dam stands at a height of 30 feet and has a length of 380 feet, with a storage capacity of 183 acre-feet. Situated on the TRIB CAHOKIA CREEK, the dam is regulated by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, ensuring that it meets inspection and enforcement requirements.
With a spillway width of 33 feet and uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates, Lake Meadow Dam has a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating. While its condition assessment is currently unavailable, the dam undergoes inspections every five years to ensure safety and compliance. Despite its limited federal agency involvement, the dam is maintained by private owners and remains a vital component of the local water resource infrastructure in Edwardsville, Illinois.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Lake Meadow Dam offers a glimpse into the importance of private infrastructure in managing water resources for recreational purposes. Its location on the TRIB CAHOKIA CREEK, controlled by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, showcases the collaboration between private owners and state regulatory agencies in ensuring the safety and functionality of such structures. As a low-hazard dam with a moderate risk assessment, Lake Meadow Dam serves as a reminder of the ongoing maintenance and inspection efforts required to mitigate potential risks and uphold water resource management standards in the region.
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 Lake Meadow Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cahokia Creek At Edwardsville | 43 cfs | → |
| Indian Creek At Wanda | 2 cfs | → |
| Judys Branch At Rte 157 At Glen Carbon | 0 cfs | → |
| Silver Creek Near Troy | 38 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 Lake Meadow Dam.
Boat launches
See all →
About Lake Meadow Dam
Where does the data for Lake Meadow 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 below 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.
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.