Lake Piasa Dam dam
Lake Piasa Dam
Lake Piasa Dam in Alton, Illinois, stands as a testament to the intersection of water resource management and climate considerations. Built in 1963 for recreational purposes, the dam spans 515 feet in length and reaches a height of 47 feet, providing storage capacity of 292 acre-feet. The dam, located on Little Piasa Creek-offstream, is state-regulated by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, with regular inspections ensuring its structural integrity.
Despite its low hazard potential, Lake Piasa Dam holds a moderate risk assessment rating, indicating a need for ongoing monitoring and risk management measures. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates, reflecting its design as an earth dam with a buttress core. While its primary purpose is for recreation, the dam's role in water resource management is crucial for the surrounding community. The dam's location within the Kansas City District underscores its significance in the regional water infrastructure landscape.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate resilience can appreciate Lake Piasa Dam as a focal point for both recreational enjoyment and environmental stewardship. With its regulated state jurisdiction, regular inspections, and moderate risk assessment, the dam serves as a vital component of the water management infrastructure in Jersey County, Illinois. As climate change impacts continue to shape water resource dynamics, Lake Piasa Dam stands as a symbol of responsible planning and management in the face of evolving environmental challenges.
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 Lake Piasa Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mill Creek Near Florissant | 1 cfs | → |
| Coldwater Creek Near Black Jack | 36 cfs | → |
| Indian Creek At Wanda | 22 cfs | → |
| Watkins Creek Near Bellefontaine Neighbors | 0 cfs | → |
| Watkins Creek At Bellefontaine Nbr | 1 cfs | → |
| Cahokia Creek At Edwardsville | 97 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Piasa Dam.
Boat launches
- Mc Adams Highway Jersey County
- Saale Road West Alton
- Riverlands Way West Alton
- Old Jamestown
- Spanish Pond Road Spanish Lake
- Spanish Lake
Track Lake Piasa 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 Lake Piasa Dam
Where does the data for Lake Piasa 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 Lake Piasa Dam.