Campton Lake Dam dam
Campton Lake Dam
Campton Lake Dam, located in Rainbow Hills-Offstream, Illinois, is a privately owned earth dam constructed in 1954 with a primary purpose of recreation. The dam spans 241 feet in length and reaches a height of 13 feet, providing a storage capacity of 156 acre-feet. Situated on Ferson Creek, the dam regulates the flow of water and offers a serene recreational spot for visitors to enjoy activities such as fishing, boating, and picnicking.
Managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Campton Lake Dam is subject to state regulations, inspections, and enforcement to ensure its safety and functionality. The dam has a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating. Although the condition assessment is currently not available, the dam has a regular inspection frequency of 5 years to monitor any potential risks or issues. With its uncontrolled spillway and no outlet gates, the dam serves as a vital structure for water resource management in the area, contributing to the overall environmental and recreational landscape of Kane County, Illinois.
Despite its unknown designer and foundational details, Campton Lake Dam remains a significant feature in the region, providing both recreational opportunities and essential water management functions. With its historical significance dating back to the 1950s, the dam continues to be a valuable asset for the community, drawing enthusiasts of water resources and climate to appreciate its role in the local ecosystem. As a privately owned structure, the dam stands as a testament to the collaboration between private ownership and state regulation in maintaining and protecting vital water resources for future generations to enjoy.
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 Campton Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Ferson Creek Near St. Charles | 29 cfs | → |
| Fox River At South Elgin | 1,040 cfs | → |
| Mill Creek Near Batavia | 5 cfs | → |
| Tyler Creek At Elgin | 18 cfs | → |
| Poplar Creek At Elgin | 6 cfs | → |
| W Branch Du Page River Nr West Chicago | 25 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Campton Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- River Bend Trail Kane County
- North River Lane Geneva
- Fox River Trail Geneva
- Fox River Trail Elgin
- Creekside Court Blackberry Township
- Fox River Trail East Dundee
Campgrounds
- Blackwell Youth Campground
- The Hollows Conservation Area Campground
- Camp Reinberg
- Camp Lakota - A Boyscouts Of America Camp
- Camp Bullfrog Lake
Fishing spots
Track Campton 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 Campton Lake Dam
Where does the data for Campton 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 Campton Lake Dam.