Stephen A. Forbes State Park Lake Dam dam
Stephen A. Forbes State Park Lake Dam
Stephen A. Forbes State Park Lake Dam, located in Marion, Illinois, is a captivating site for water resource and climate enthusiasts. Built in 1963, this earth dam stands at a height of 46 feet and stretches for 1335 feet, creating a reservoir with a maximum storage capacity of 15,739 acre-feet. The dam serves the primary purposes of recreation and water supply, offering a serene setting for outdoor activities and a vital resource for the surrounding area.
The dam's spillway, with a width of 340 feet, is uncontrolled, allowing for the safe release of excess water during periods of high flow. The dam is regulated by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity and safety. With a significant hazard potential and moderate risk assessment, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the region while providing recreational opportunities for visitors to Stephen A. Forbes State Park.
Surrounded by the natural beauty of Lost Fork Creek and covering a surface area of 585 acres, Stephen A. Forbes State Park Lake Dam is a vital part of the local ecosystem. With a drainage area of 21.1 square miles and a maximum discharge capacity of 30,848 cubic feet per second, this dam is a key feature for water management in the area. Enthusiasts interested in water resource management and climate resilience will find Stephen A. Forbes State Park Lake Dam to be a fascinating structure that blends functionality with natural beauty, making it a must-visit destination for those passionate about water systems and their impact on 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 Stephen A. Forbes State Park Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Hickory Creek Nr Brownstown | 14 cfs | → |
| East Fork Kaskaskia River Near Sandoval | 32 cfs | → |
| Kaskaskia River At Vandalia | 2,210 cfs | → |
| Little Wabash River Below Clay City | 8,580 cfs | → |
| Skillet Fork At Wayne City | 351 cfs | → |
| Little Wabash River Near Effingham | 96 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Stephen A. Forbes State Park Lake Dam.
Track Stephen A. Forbes State Park 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 Stephen A. Forbes State Park Lake Dam
Where does the data for Stephen A. Forbes State Park 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 Stephen A. Forbes State Park Lake Dam.