Vandalia Municipal Reservoir Dam dam
Vandalia Municipal Reservoir Dam
The Vandalia Municipal Reservoir Dam, located in Fayette County, Illinois, is a vital water resource and recreational hub for the community. Built in 1965, this earth dam stands at a height of 50 feet and spans a length of 1600 feet, creating a reservoir with a maximum storage capacity of 13,460 acre-feet. The dam's primary purpose is for recreation, offering opportunities for boating, fishing, and other water-based activities, while also serving as a water supply source for the region.
Managed by the local government and regulated by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the Vandalia Municipal Reservoir Dam has a high hazard potential, prompting regular inspections and maintenance to ensure its structural integrity and public safety. The dam's spillway, with a width of 112 feet, is designed as uncontrolled, allowing for the safe release of excess water during periods of heavy rainfall. Despite its age, the dam continues to play a crucial role in water management and conservation efforts in the area, contributing to the overall sustainability of the region's water resources.
With its picturesque setting along Bear Creek, the Vandalia Municipal Reservoir Dam is not only a key infrastructure for water storage and flood control but also a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. Its significant storage capacity, coupled with its recreational amenities, makes it a valuable asset for the community, highlighting the intersection of water resource management and climate resilience in this region 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 Vandalia Municipal Reservoir Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Kaskaskia River At Vandalia | 2,210 cfs | → |
| Hurricane Creek Near Mulberry Grove | 53 cfs | → |
| Hickory Creek Nr Brownstown | 14 cfs | → |
| East Fork Shoal Creek Near Coffeen | 18 cfs | → |
| Kaskaskia River Near Cowden | 1,780 cfs | → |
| East Fork Kaskaskia River Near Sandoval | 32 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Vandalia Municipal Reservoir Dam.
Boat launches
- County Road 175 North Fayette County
- Tamalco Bond County
- Hazlet State Park Boat Ramp
- Beach House Trail 4292, Litchfield
Track Vandalia Municipal 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 Vandalia Municipal Reservoir Dam
Where does the data for Vandalia Municipal 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 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 Vandalia Municipal Reservoir Dam.