Ostermeir Pond Dam dam
Ostermeir Pond Dam
Ostermeir Pond Dam, located in Christian County, Illinois, is a privately owned structure designed by the USDA NRCS and completed in 1970. This Earth-type dam stands at a height of 22 feet and stretches 243 feet in length, with a primary purpose of providing recreational opportunities at Ostermeir Pond. The dam is situated on the South Fork Sangamon River, within the St. Louis District of the US Army Corps of Engineers jurisdiction.
Despite its low hazard potential, Ostermeir Pond Dam is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The dam's spillway, with a width of 25 feet, is uncontrolled, and the outlet gates are also uncontrolled. The dam has a normal storage capacity of 38 acre-feet, with a total storage capacity of 67 acre-feet. The risk assessment for the dam is moderate, indicating a level 3 risk.
While the condition assessment of Ostermeir Pond Dam is not available, it is important to note that the dam has not been modified in recent years. The last inspection took place in October 2007, with a frequency of every 5 years. The dam does not have an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) prepared or updated, and the risk management measures are not specified. Overall, Ostermeir Pond Dam presents an intriguing case study for water resource and climate enthusiasts, highlighting the importance of regulatory oversight and risk assessment for maintaining the safety and functionality of dams.
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 Ostermeir Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Fork Sangamon River Nr Rochester | 673 cfs | → |
| Sangamon River At Riverton | 1,610 cfs | → |
| Robinson Creek Near Shelbyville | 39 cfs | → |
| East Fork Shoal Creek Near Coffeen | 27 cfs | → |
| Spring Creek At Springfield | 117 cfs | → |
| Sangamon River At Rt 48 At Decatur | 299 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Ostermeir Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Christian County
- Island Bay Lane Springfield
- East Lake Shore Drive 182, Springfield
- South Wyckles Road Macon County
- West Sunset Avenue Decatur
- Beach House Trail 4292, Litchfield
Track Ostermeir Pond 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 Ostermeir Pond Dam
Where does the data for Ostermeir Pond 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 Ostermeir Pond Dam.