Crescent Lake Dam dam
Crescent Lake Dam
Crescent Lake Dam, located in Ophiem, Henry, Illinois, is a privately owned earth dam completed in 1900 primarily designed for recreational purposes. With a dam height of 31 feet and a length of 475 feet, the dam provides a storage capacity of 249 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 186 acre-feet. The dam is situated on the tributaries of Mud Creek and Edwards Creek, making it an essential water resource in the area.
Managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Crescent Lake Dam is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced by the state agency to ensure its safety and compliance with regulations. The dam has an uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates, with a significant hazard potential and a moderate risk level assessed. While the condition assessment of the dam is not available, regular inspections are conducted every three years, with the last inspection carried out in April 2018.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Crescent Lake Dam offers a fascinating glimpse into the intersection of human engineering and environmental conservation. As a recreational dam in a picturesque location, it serves as a vital water source for the community while facing challenges of potential hazards and the need for risk management measures. Its historical significance and ongoing regulatory oversight make it a noteworthy site for those interested in water infrastructure and climate resilience 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 Crescent Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Edwards River Near Orion | 66 cfs | → |
| Mill Creek At Milan | 34 cfs | → |
| Green River Near Geneseo | 588 cfs | → |
| Crow Creek At Bettendorf | 5 cfs | → |
| Duck Creek At Dc Golf Course At Davenport | 63 cfs | → |
| Rock River Near Joslin | 10,200 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Crescent Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Gatewood Lane Galesburg
- 48th Street 5598, Moline
- Colona
- Big Island Parkway Rock Island
- North Broadway Street 201, Cleveland
- 12th Street 138, Bettendorf
Track Crescent 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 Crescent Lake Dam
Where does the data for Crescent 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 Crescent Lake Dam.