Maple Lake Dam dam
Maple Lake Dam
Maple Lake Dam, located in Lemont, Illinois, is a local government-owned structure that serves a primary purpose of recreation. Completed in 1918, this Earth-type dam stands at a height of 25 feet and has a length of 110 feet, with a storage capacity of 765 acre-feet. Situated on the Trib Des Plaines River, the dam's spillway type is classified as uncontrolled with a width of 15 feet. Despite its age, Maple Lake Dam is regularly inspected by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and is deemed to have a significant hazard potential.
With a drainage area of 0.6 square miles, Maple Lake Dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the region. The dam's location in Cook County, Illinois, makes it a key feature in the local landscape, providing both recreational opportunities and flood control measures. Although the dam's condition assessment is not currently available, its risk assessment is moderate, indicating that preventative measures and risk management strategies are in place to address any potential issues that may arise.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will find Maple Lake Dam to be a fascinating structure that showcases the intersection of human engineering with natural landscapes. As a significant feature on the Trib Des Plaines River, this dam not only provides recreational benefits to the local community but also plays a vital role in water storage and flood prevention efforts. Its historical significance, coupled with its ongoing regulatory oversight and risk management measures, make Maple Lake Dam a noteworthy site for those interested in the sustainable management of water resources and the impacts of climate change on infrastructure.
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 Maple Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Flag Creek Near Willow Springs | 14 cfs | → |
| Sawmill Creek Near Lemont | 5 cfs | → |
| Long Run Near Lemont | 13 cfs | → |
| Salt Creek At Western Springs | 204 cfs | → |
| Tinley Creek Near Palos Park | 9 cfs | → |
| Des Plaines River At Riverside | 545 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Maple Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- 107th Street Palos Township
- Tri-State Tollway Justice
- Mcguire Parkway Lemont Township
- Fairbank Road Riverside
- Dupage River Trail Bolingbrook
- South Halsted Street Riverdale
Campgrounds
- Camp Bullfrog Lake
- Pioneer Grove
- Blackwell Youth Campground
- Camp Shabbona Woods
- Des Plaines State Conservation Area
- Camp Reinberg
Fishing spots
Track Maple 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 Maple Lake Dam
Where does the data for Maple 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 Maple Lake Dam.