Taphorn Pond Dam dam
Taphorn Pond Dam
Taphorn Pond Dam, located in Randolph, Illinois, is a private-owned earth dam constructed in 1967 by designer Armin Rheinhart. The dam stands at a height of 31 feet and has a length of 215 feet, with a primary purpose of recreation. With a normal storage capacity of 41 acre-feet, the dam poses a low hazard potential and has a moderate risk assessment rating. The dam is regulated by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its safety and compliance with state regulations.
Situated on TRIB PLUM CREEK, Taphorn Pond Dam serves as a popular recreational spot in Evansville, Illinois, providing opportunities for fishing, boating, and other water-based activities. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates, with a spillway width of 12 feet. Although the dam has not been modified in recent years, it is subject to a regular inspection frequency of 5 years to assess its condition and address any potential risks. Despite its age, Taphorn Pond Dam continues to offer a safe and enjoyable environment for water resource and climate enthusiasts to explore and appreciate.
As one of the many dams within the St. Louis District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Taphorn Pond Dam contributes to the management of water resources in the region. The dam has a storage capacity of 61 acre-feet and is capable of handling moderate discharge levels. While the dam's condition assessment is currently unavailable, its low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment indicate that it is well-maintained and poses minimal risk to surrounding areas. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Taphorn Pond Dam offers a fascinating example of how infrastructure can support both recreational activities and environmental conservation efforts in the state of Illinois.
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 Taphorn Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Kaskaskia River At New Athens | 7,150 cfs | → |
| Richland Creek Near Hecker | 120 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River At Chester | 257,000 cfs | → |
| Silver Creek Near Freeburg | 155 cfs | → |
| Kaskaskia River Near Venedy Station | 6,350 cfs | → |
| South Fork Saline Creek Near Perryville | 22 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Taphorn Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Randolph County
- Phegley Resort Lane Randolph County
- Il 13 New Athens
- Water Street Chester
- North 1st Street 2252, Fayetteville
- Il 151 Jackson County
Campgrounds
- Randolph County State Conservation Area
- Fort Kaskaskia State Park
- Pyramid State Park
- Johnson Creek
- Johnson Creek Campground
- Washington County Lake State Conservation Area
Track Taphorn Pond 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 Taphorn Pond Dam
Where does the data for Taphorn Pond 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 Taphorn Pond Dam.