Lake Vermilion Dam dam
Lake Vermilion Dam
Lake Vermilion Dam, located in Danville, Illinois, on the North Fork Vermilion River, is a privately owned structure designed by Mead & Seastone Consulting. Completed in 1925, this earth dam stands at a height of 45 feet and stretches 645 feet in length, serving primarily as a water supply source. With a maximum storage capacity of 15,352 acre-feet and a normal storage of 4,641 acre-feet, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the area.
The dam's spillway, with a width of 152 feet, is of the controlled type, ensuring efficient regulation of water flow. While the dam has a high hazard potential, its condition assessment is currently not available. Despite having no associated locks, Lake Vermilion Dam is subject to regular inspection, with a risk assessment rating it as very high. With a risk management plan in place, the dam continues to be a vital asset for water resource management in Vermilion County, Illinois.
Lake Vermilion Dam's impressive history and engineering make it a notable landmark in the region, standing as a testament to the importance of water resource management and infrastructure development. As climate change continues to impact water availability and quality, structures like Lake Vermilion Dam play a critical role in ensuring a sustainable water supply for communities and ecosystems alike. With ongoing regulatory oversight and risk management measures, Lake Vermilion Dam remains a key player in safeguarding the water resources of Vermilion County for generations to come.
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 Lake Vermilion Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Middle Fork Vermilion River Above Oakwood | 132 cfs | → |
| Vermilion River Near Danville | 666 cfs | → |
| Wabash River At Covington | 5,410 cfs | → |
| Salt Fork Near St. Joseph | 58 cfs | → |
| Wabash River At Montezuma | 8,300 cfs | → |
| Boneyard Creek At Lincoln Ave At Urbana | 3 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Vermilion Dam.
Boat launches
- Lake Vermilion County Park
- East 1725 North Road Vermilion County
- West Lake Trail Champaign County
- South Homer Lake Road Champaign County
Track Lake Vermilion 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 Lake Vermilion Dam
Where does the data for Lake Vermilion 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 High 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 Lake Vermilion Dam.