Sparta New City Reservoir Dam dam
Sparta New City Reservoir Dam
The Sparta New City Reservoir Dam, also known as the New City Reservoir, is a vital water supply infrastructure owned by the local government in Sparta, Illinois. Built in 1952 by Rochester & Goodell, this earth dam with a buttress core stands at a height of 16 feet and stretches 792 feet in length. The dam has a storage capacity of 393 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 232 acre-feet, serving as a crucial source of water for the community.
Situated on Maxwell Creek in Randolph County, Illinois, the Sparta New City Reservoir Dam is regulated by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its safety and functionality. The dam's spillway, with a width of 204 feet, is uncontrolled, posing a significant hazard potential. Despite its moderate risk assessment, the dam has not undergone a recent condition assessment, and its emergency action plan status remains unclear.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, the Sparta New City Reservoir Dam offers a fascinating case study in local government-owned water infrastructure. Its design, construction, and ongoing regulation provide insights into the challenges and importance of managing water resources in a changing climate. As a critical piece of infrastructure in the St. Louis District, this dam serves as a reminder of the intricate relationship between human development and the natural environment.
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 Sparta New City Reservoir Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Kaskaskia River At New Athens | 12,200 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River At Chester | 270,000 cfs | → |
| Richland Creek Near Hecker | 462 cfs | → |
| Silver Creek Near Freeburg | 1,670 cfs | → |
| Kaskaskia River Near Venedy Station | 10,300 cfs | → |
| Little Crooked Creek Near New Minden | 24 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sparta New City Reservoir 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
- Washington County Lake State Conservation Area
- Johnson Creek
- Johnson Creek Campground
Track Sparta New City Reservoir 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 Sparta New City Reservoir Dam
Where does the data for Sparta New City Reservoir 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 Sparta New City Reservoir Dam.