Papoose Lake Dam dam
Papoose Lake Dam
Papoose Lake Dam, located in Palos Park, Illinois, serves as a vital recreational hub in Cook County. Completed in 1956, this Earth-type dam stands at a height of 12 feet and stretches over 750 feet along Trib Mill Creek. With a storage capacity of 143 acre-feet, the dam primarily caters to recreational purposes, offering a serene escape for water resource and climate enthusiasts seeking outdoor activities.
Managed by the local government and regulated by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Papoose Lake Dam is inspected every three years to ensure its structural integrity and safety. The dam's spillway, with a width of 18 feet, is uncontrolled, presenting a significant hazard potential that requires careful monitoring. While the condition assessment is currently not available, the dam's risk assessment is rated as moderate, highlighting the need for ongoing risk management measures to safeguard the surrounding community and environment.
As a popular destination for water-based activities, Papoose Lake Dam plays a crucial role in enhancing the recreational experience for residents and visitors alike. With its picturesque location and historical significance, this dam stands as a testament to Illinois' commitment to preserving its water resources while balancing the need for sustainable development in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 Papoose Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Tinley Creek Near Palos Park | 9 cfs | → |
| Flag Creek Near Willow Springs | 14 cfs | → |
| Sawmill Creek Near Lemont | 5 cfs | → |
| Midlothian Creek At Oak Forest | 7 cfs | → |
| Long Run Near Lemont | 13 cfs | → |
| Des Plaines River At Riverside | 545 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Papoose Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- 107th Street Palos Township
- Tri-State Tollway Justice
- Mcguire Parkway Lemont Township
- South Halsted Street Riverdale
- Fairbank Road Riverside
- Dupage River Trail Bolingbrook
Campgrounds
- Pioneer Grove
- Camp Bullfrog Lake
- Camp Shabbona Woods
- Blackwell Youth Campground
- Des Plaines State Conservation Area
- Desplaines Conservational Park
Fishing spots
Track Papoose 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 Papoose Lake Dam
Where does the data for Papoose 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 Significant 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 Papoose Lake Dam.