Rowden Lake Dam dam
Rowden Lake Dam
Rowden Lake Dam, located in Alton, Illinois, is a privately owned structure designed by the USDA NRCS with a primary purpose of recreation. Completed in 1971, this earth dam stands at a height of 40 feet and stretches 380 feet in length, providing a storage capacity of 160 acre-feet. The dam is managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and falls under state jurisdiction for regulation and inspection.
Despite its low hazard potential, Rowden Lake Dam is considered to have a moderate risk level, with an inspection frequency of 5 years. While the condition assessment is not available, the dam's emergency action plan status, risk assessment, and risk management measures are yet to be determined. The dam's spillway is uncontrolled, with an outlet gate that is similarly uncontrolled, posing a potential challenge in the event of a flood or emergency situation.
Overall, Rowden Lake Dam serves as a recreational resource in Jersey County, Illinois, along Piasa Creek. It is a significant part of the local landscape and provides both aesthetic appeal and functional benefits. However, ongoing monitoring and maintenance are essential to ensure the safety and longevity of this important water resource structure.
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 Rowden Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Macoupin Creek Near Kane | 842 cfs | → |
| Mill Creek Near Florissant | 1 cfs | → |
| Indian Creek At Wanda | 22 cfs | → |
| Coldwater Creek Near Black Jack | 36 cfs | → |
| Cahokia Creek At Edwardsville | 97 cfs | → |
| Watkins Creek Near Bellefontaine Neighbors | 0 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Rowden Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Mc Adams Highway Jersey County
- Riverlands Way West Alton
- Saale Road West Alton
- Old Jamestown
- Spanish Pond Road Spanish Lake
- Spanish Lake
Track Rowden 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 Rowden Lake Dam
Where does the data for Rowden 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 Rowden Lake Dam.