Heritage Lake Dam dam
Heritage Lake Dam
Heritage Lake Dam in Illinois is a privately owned structure with a primary purpose of recreation. Completed in 1968, the earth dam stands at 56 feet tall and spans 590 feet in length, holding a maximum storage capacity of 2425 acre-feet. Situated on the tributary of the Mackinaw River, the dam's spillway type is uncontrolled, with a width of 315 feet. The dam poses a significant hazard potential and is inspected every three years, with the last inspection conducted in September 2020.
This dam, managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, plays a crucial role in providing recreational opportunities and regulating water flow in the region. Its moderate risk level (3) necessitates ongoing risk management measures to ensure the safety and integrity of the structure. Despite its unknown designer and foundation type, Heritage Lake Dam remains a key feature in the Tazewell County landscape, offering not only recreational benefits but also serving as a vital component of the local water resource infrastructure.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts are drawn to Heritage Lake Dam for its strategic location, impressive dimensions, and significant impact on the surrounding environment. With a rich history dating back to the late 1960s, this earth dam continues to be a focal point for water management and conservation efforts in Illinois. Its role in providing both recreational opportunities and flood control measures make Heritage Lake Dam a valuable asset worth monitoring and preserving for future generations.
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 Heritage Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mackinaw River Near Congerville | 286 cfs | → |
| Farm Creek At Farmdale | 11 cfs | → |
| Fondulac Creek Near East Peoria | 0 cfs | → |
| Mackinaw River Near Green Valley | 431 cfs | → |
| Sugar Creek Near Bloomington | 30 cfs | → |
| Illinois River At Kingston Mines | 11,700 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Heritage Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Lakeview Drive 1717, Eureka
- Mendenhall Park
- North 1200 East Road Mclean County
- West Pine Street 1, Chillicothe
- Spring Lake Road Tazewell County
Track Heritage 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 Heritage Lake Dam
Where does the data for Heritage 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 Heritage Lake Dam.