Biebell Lake Dam dam
Biebell Lake Dam
Biebell Lake Dam, located in St. Clair, Illinois, stands as a testament to both engineering prowess and environmental stewardship. Constructed in 1968 by designer Armin Reinhardt, this earthen dam serves primarily for recreational purposes, offering visitors a tranquil retreat amidst the natural beauty of Biebell Lake. With a height of 9 feet and a length of 275 feet, the dam provides a maximum storage capacity of 108 acre-feet, making it a vital resource for water management in the area.
Managed by a private entity, Biebell Lake Dam is regulated by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), ensuring compliance with state permitting, inspection, and enforcement protocols. The dam boasts a low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment rating, underscoring its structural integrity and commitment to public safety. While its spillway operates on an uncontrolled basis, the dam's overall risk management measures remain robust and effective, reflecting a proactive approach to mitigating potential hazards.
As a key feature within the tributary system of Silver Creek, Biebell Lake Dam not only enhances the recreational value of the region but also contributes to the broader ecosystem's health and sustainability. With its remarkable design and functional efficiency, this dam serves as a vital link between water resource management and climate resilience, embodying a harmonious balance between human activity and natural conservation efforts.
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 Biebell Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Silver Creek Near Freeburg | 155 cfs | → |
| Kaskaskia River At New Athens | 7,150 cfs | → |
| Richland Creek Near Hecker | 120 cfs | → |
| Kaskaskia River Near Venedy Station | 6,350 cfs | → |
| Silver Creek Near Troy | 34 cfs | → |
| Martigney Creek Near Arnold | 2 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Biebell Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Il 13 New Athens
- North 1st Street 2252, Fayetteville
- Randolph County
- St Ellen Mine Trail O'Fallon
- Davis Street Ferry Road East Carondelet
- Il 111 Pontoon Beach
Campgrounds
- Scott Afb Military
- Horseshoe Lake Recreation Area
- Fort Kaskaskia State Park
- Randolph County State Conservation Area
- Washington County Lake State Conservation Area
Paddle runs
Track Biebell 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 Biebell Lake Dam
Where does the data for Biebell 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 Biebell Lake Dam.