Stratton Lock And Dam dam
Stratton Lock And Dam
Stratton Lock and Dam, also known as McHenry Lock and Dam, is a state-owned structure located in Holiday Hills, Illinois, along the Fox River. Completed in 1939, this gravity dam stands at a height of 7 feet and stretches 275 feet in length, serving primarily for flood risk reduction purposes. With a storage capacity of 113,000 acre-feet, the dam plays a crucial role in regulating water levels and protecting surrounding areas from potential flooding events.
Managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the dam features a controlled spillway with a width of 627 feet and five slide gates for water release. The facility is subject to regular inspections, with a hazard potential rated as significant and a risk assessment indicating a very high risk level. Despite limited information on its condition assessment, the dam remains operational and plays a vital role in water resource management and flood control efforts within the region.
In addition to flood risk reduction, the Stratton Lock and Dam also offers recreational opportunities, making it a valuable asset for both water resource management and community engagement. Situated in McHenry County, Illinois, the dam's strategic location along the Fox River underscores its importance in maintaining water quality, managing drainage areas, and safeguarding against potential risks associated with high water discharge levels. As a key infrastructure element in the region, the dam serves as a critical component in ensuring the safety and sustainability of water resources for both present and future generations of residents and visitors alike.
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 Stratton Lock And Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Boone Creek Near Mc Henry | 6 cfs | → |
| Nippersink Creek Above Wonder Lake | 32 cfs | → |
| Nippersink Creek Near Spring Grove | 150 cfs | → |
| Fox River At Algonquin | 725 cfs | → |
| Fox River At Algonquin (Tailwater) | 873 cfs | → |
| Des Plaines River Near Gurnee | 112 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Stratton Lock And Dam.
Boat launches
- Country Club Drive North 102, Mchenry
- North River Road Mchenry
- Lake Atwood Boat Launch
- Fox River Preserve Lake County
- North Ash Street 27951, Lake County
- Leonard Parkway 619, Crystal Lake
Campgrounds
- The Hollows Conservation Area Campground
- Mud Lake West
- Fourth Lake Resort Campsite
- North Branch Conservation Area (Cyclists Only)
- Camp Lakota - A Boyscouts Of America Camp
- Camp Reinberg
Fishing spots
Track Stratton Lock And 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 Stratton Lock And Dam
Where does the data for Stratton Lock And 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 Stratton Lock And Dam.