Illinois Power Company Lake Dam dam
Illinois Power Company Lake Dam
Illinois Power Company Lake Dam, located in Hillery, Illinois, stands as a testament to engineering excellence with its primary purpose being recreation. Built in 1954 by HARZA ENGINEERING CO., this earth dam with a buttress core type spans 500 feet in length and reaches a height of 80 feet, providing a storage capacity of 2400 acre-feet for the Vermillion River. The dam's spillway, with a width of 30 feet, is uncontrolled, adding an element of natural beauty to the surroundings.
Managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), the Illinois Power Company Lake Dam boasts a low hazard potential, making it a safe and enjoyable spot for water resource and climate enthusiasts. Despite its age, with the last inspection conducted in November 2020, the dam continues to fulfill its intended purpose efficiently. With a moderate risk assessment rating, the dam's risk management measures ensure the safety of the surrounding community and environment.
As a part of the Louisville District, Illinois Power Company Lake Dam remains a vital structure in Vermilion County, serving as a recreational hub for locals and visitors alike. Its historical significance, coupled with its sound engineering and regulatory oversight, make it a noteworthy destination for those interested in water resource management and climate resilience.
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 Illinois Power Company Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Middle Fork Vermilion River Above Oakwood | 117 cfs | → |
| Vermilion River Near Danville | 811 cfs | → |
| Salt Fork Near St. Joseph | 46 cfs | → |
| Wabash River At Covington | 5,340 cfs | → |
| Boneyard Creek At Lincoln Ave At Urbana | 3 cfs | → |
| Boneyard Creek At Urbana | 3 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Illinois Power Company Lake Dam.
Track Illinois Power Company 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 Illinois Power Company Lake Dam
Where does the data for Illinois Power Company 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 Illinois Power Company Lake Dam.