Briney Lake 1 Dam dam
Briney Lake 1 Dam
Briney Lake 1 Dam, located in Schuyler, Illinois, is a privately owned structure designed by the USDA NRCS and completed in 1971. This earth dam, with a height of 36 feet and length of 460 feet, serves primarily for recreational purposes and is state-regulated by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The dam has a storage capacity of 301 acre-feet and a surface area of 9 acres, making it a vital water resource for the local community.
With a high hazard potential and moderate risk assessment rating, Briney Lake 1 Dam is subject to regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity and safety. The dam's spillway, with a width of 22 feet, is uncontrolled, and it has an uncontrolled outlet gate. Despite its risk assessment, the dam is a popular spot for recreation, offering opportunities for fishing, boating, and other water-related activities. Its location on Trib Elm Creek adds to its appeal for both water resource and climate enthusiasts.
As a key part of the Rock Island District and the broader water management system in Illinois, Briney Lake 1 Dam plays a crucial role in maintaining water levels and providing recreational opportunities for the community. With its unique design and significant storage capacity, this dam is a focal point for both water resource management and outdoor recreation in Schuyler County.
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 Briney Lake 1 Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Sangamon River Near Oakford | 3,860 cfs | → |
| Spoon River At Seville | 697 cfs | → |
| La Moine River At Ripley | 362 cfs | → |
| Sangamon River At Petersburg | 2,450 cfs | → |
| Salt Creek Near Greenview | 1,110 cfs | → |
| La Moine River At Colmar | 239 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Briney Lake 1 Dam.
Boat launches
- West Jefferson Street 598, Havana
- Gurney Road Cass County
- County Highway 11 Cass County
- Gridley Road Cass County
- Spring Lake Road Tazewell County
- Lakeland Park Road 26005, Canton
Track Briney Lake 1 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 Briney Lake 1 Dam
Where does the data for Briney Lake 1 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 Briney Lake 1 Dam.