Silver Lake Dam dam
Silver Lake Dam
Silver Lake Dam, located in McHenry, Illinois, is a privately owned structure constructed in 1929 with a primary purpose of recreation. The dam stands at a height of 23 feet and has a length of 170 feet, creating a reservoir with a storage capacity of 580 acre-feet. Situated on the TRIB FOX RIVER, the dam is regulated by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its safety and integrity.
Although classified as having a low hazard potential, Silver Lake Dam is considered to have a moderate risk level, with a risk assessment rating of 3. Despite its age, the dam's condition assessment is currently listed as "Not Available," indicating a need for further evaluation. The dam does not have an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) in place, raising concerns about emergency preparedness and response in the event of a catastrophic failure.
With its picturesque location and historical significance, Silver Lake Dam serves as a vital recreational resource for the surrounding community. However, ongoing monitoring and maintenance are essential to ensure the safety of both the dam and the downstream area. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Silver Lake Dam presents an intriguing case study in balancing the benefits of water management for recreational purposes with the potential risks associated with aging infrastructure.
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 Silver Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Fox River At Algonquin | 725 cfs | → |
| Fox River At Algonquin (Tailwater) | 769 cfs | → |
| Boone Creek Near Mc Henry | 6 cfs | → |
| Nippersink Creek Above Wonder Lake | 32 cfs | → |
| Tyler Creek At Elgin | 18 cfs | → |
| Nippersink Creek Near Spring Grove | 147 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Silver Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Lake Atwood Boat Launch
- Fox River Preserve Lake County
- Picnic Grove Park
- Leonard Parkway 619, Crystal Lake
- Country Club Drive North 102, Mchenry
- Hilltop Drive 145, Lake In The Hills
Campgrounds
- The Hollows Conservation Area Campground
- Camp Reinberg
- Mud Lake West
- Fourth Lake Resort Campsite
- Camp Lakota - A Boyscouts Of America Camp
- North Branch Conservation Area (Cyclists Only)
Fishing spots
Track Silver 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 Silver Lake Dam
Where does the data for Silver 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 Silver Lake Dam.