Wonder Lake Dam dam
Wonder Lake Dam
Wonder Lake Dam, located in Wonder Lake, Illinois, is a private-owned structure built in 1929 by RANDOLPH-PERKINS CO. Its primary purpose is for recreation, serving as a popular spot for water enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. The dam stands at a height of 27 feet and spans a length of 1050 feet, holding a storage capacity of 10,194 acre-feet.
The dam regulates Nippersink Creek's flow and contributes to a surface area of 728 acres. With a high hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating, the dam is under state regulation and inspection by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Although the condition assessment is not available, emergency action plans are in place since 2013, ensuring preparedness for any unforeseen events.
Wonder Lake Dam is a vital structure in the McHenry County area, offering both recreational opportunities and essential water resource management. Its significance lies in its ability to provide water storage, regulate stream flow, and contribute to the overall environmental health of the region. As climate change continues to impact water resources, the maintenance and upkeep of dams like Wonder Lake are crucial for sustainable water management and climate resilience in the future.
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 Wonder Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Nippersink Creek Above Wonder Lake | 32 cfs | → |
| Nippersink Creek Near Spring Grove | 147 cfs | → |
| Boone Creek Near Mc Henry | 6 cfs | → |
| White River At Center Street At Lake Geneva | 0 cfs | → |
| Fox River Near New Munster | 442 cfs | → |
| Fox River At Algonquin | 725 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Wonder Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Harts Road Spring Grove
- North River Road Mchenry
- Country Club Drive North 102, Mchenry
- Elizabeth Lake Boat Launch
- Chain-O-Lakes State Park Lake County
- Pell Lake -- Access
Campgrounds
- North Branch Conservation Area (Cyclists Only)
- Mud Lake West
- Camp Lakota - A Boyscouts Of America Camp
- Tent Camping @ Big Foot Beach State Park
- Rv Camping @ Big Foot Beach State Park
- Lake Geneva Youth Camp
Fishing spots
Track Wonder 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 Wonder Lake Dam
Where does the data for Wonder 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 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 Wonder Lake Dam.