Girard Sunset Lake Dam dam
Girard Sunset Lake Dam
Located in Macoupin, Illinois, the Girard Sunset Lake Dam is a privately owned structure built in 1955 primarily for recreational purposes. The dam, standing at a height of 47 feet and stretching 1015 feet in length, holds a maximum storage capacity of 2749 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 125 acres. Situated on the TRIB EAST FORK OTTER CREEK, this earth dam with a buttress core type is regulated by the IDNR and undergoes regular state inspections and enforcement to ensure its safety and compliance with regulatory standards.
With a low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment, the Girard Sunset Lake Dam poses minimal threat to its surrounding area. Although its condition assessment is not available, the dam's emergency action plan status is unclear, highlighting the need for proper preparedness measures in case of a potential safety concern. Despite these uncertainties, the dam continues to serve as a hub for recreational activities, attracting water resource and climate enthusiasts to its tranquil waters and picturesque surroundings. As a vital part of the HETTICK-OFFSTREAM community, the Girard Sunset Lake Dam remains a symbol of both leisure and natural beauty in the heart 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 Girard Sunset Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Fork Sangamon River Nr Rochester | 715 cfs | → |
| Spring Creek At Springfield | 91 cfs | → |
| Macoupin Creek Near Kane | 1,060 cfs | → |
| Sangamon River At Riverton | 1,730 cfs | → |
| East Fork Shoal Creek Near Coffeen | 17 cfs | → |
| Sangamon River At Petersburg | 2,040 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Girard Sunset Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Waverly Lake Road Morgan County
- Beach House Trail 4292, Litchfield
- Island Bay Lane Springfield
- Christian County
- East Lake Shore Drive 182, Springfield
Track Girard Sunset 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 Girard Sunset Lake Dam
Where does the data for Girard Sunset 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 Girard Sunset Lake Dam.