Birchlers Lake Dam dam
Birchlers Lake Dam
Birchlers Lake Dam, located in Randolph, Illinois, is a privately-owned structure primarily used for recreation. Built in 1950, this Earth dam stands at a height of 22 feet and spans 440 feet in length, providing a storage capacity of 94 acre-feet. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam is regulated by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its safety and functionality.
The dam's design, classified as Buttress type, features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 23 feet. Surrounded by the serene surroundings of TRIB GRAVEL CREEK, Birchlers Lake Dam offers visitors a tranquil escape for outdoor activities such as fishing, boating, and picnicking. With moderate risk management measures in place, the dam continues to serve as a vital resource for water storage and recreational enjoyment in the area.
Birchlers Lake Dam, with its picturesque location and historical significance, remains a valuable asset for the community. As water resource and climate enthusiasts explore the dam's features and purpose, they can appreciate the careful planning and maintenance efforts that contribute to its safe operation. With state oversight and a focus on risk management, Birchlers Lake Dam stands as a testament to responsible stewardship of water resources in Illinois.
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 Birchlers Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi River At Chester | 311,000 cfs | → |
| South Fork Saline Creek Near Perryville | 51 cfs | → |
| Kaskaskia River At New Athens | 3,860 cfs | → |
| Richland Creek Near Hecker | 23 cfs | → |
| Big Muddy River At Rte 127 At Murphysboro | 6,090 cfs | → |
| Silver Creek Near Freeburg | 183 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Birchlers Lake Dam.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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River runs
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About Birchlers Lake Dam
Where does the data for Birchlers 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 below 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.
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.