White Lake Dam dam
White Lake Dam
White Lake Dam, also known as Homer White Lake Dam, is a private structure located in Lake County, Illinois. Completed in 1964, this Earth dam stands at a height of 11 feet and has a length of 650 feet. Its primary purpose is for recreation, with a storage capacity of 217 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 129 acre-feet. Situated on the TRIB HASTINGS CREEK offstream, the dam is regulated by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and is subject to state inspections and enforcement.
Despite its low hazard potential, White Lake Dam poses a moderate risk due to its age and lack of available condition assessment data. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway and has no outlet gates. While it has not undergone recent modifications, it is inspected every five years to ensure its structural integrity. Although the dam has no associated locks, it serves as a recreational water resource for the community, offering opportunities for boating, fishing, and other outdoor activities.
Located in a picturesque setting, White Lake Dam provides both locals and visitors with a tranquil escape and a chance to appreciate the beauty of the surrounding area. As a privately owned structure, it plays a vital role in supporting recreational activities in the region while also serving as a reminder of the importance of proper maintenance and oversight to ensure the safety and sustainability of our water resources in the face of changing climates.
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 White Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mill Creek At Old Mill Creek | 12 cfs | → |
| Des Plaines River At Russell | 25 cfs | → |
| Des Plaines River Near Gurnee | 84 cfs | → |
| Nippersink Creek Near Spring Grove | 117 cfs | → |
| Fox River Near New Munster | 500 cfs | → |
| Pike River Near Racine | 8 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near White Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Benet Lake Boat Launch
- Blue Loop Lake County
- George Lake Boat Launch
- North Lake Avenue 39, Third Lake
- West Wadsworth Road Lake County
- Camp Lake -- Access Off 113th St
Campgrounds
- Fourth Lake Resort Campsite
- Mud Lake West
- North Branch Conservation Area (Cyclists Only)
- The Hollows Conservation Area Campground
- Camp Reinberg
- Rv Camping @ Big Foot Beach State Park
Fishing spots
Track White 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 White Lake Dam
Where does the data for White 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 White Lake Dam.