Carpentersville Dam dam
Carpentersville Dam
Located on the Fox River in Carpentersville, Illinois, the Carpentersville Dam is a concrete structure completed in 1916 primarily for recreational purposes. Standing at a height of 8 feet and stretching 378 feet in length, the dam offers a serene setting for outdoor activities such as fishing, boating, and wildlife observation. Managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the dam also serves as a low hazard potential structure with a moderate risk assessment rating.
Despite its age, the Carpentersville Dam remains a popular destination for water resource and climate enthusiasts, offering a picturesque backdrop for exploring the natural beauty of the Fox River. With a normal storage capacity of 560 acre-feet and a maximum storage of 1100 acre-feet, the dam plays a vital role in maintaining water levels and supporting the local ecosystem. While its condition assessment is currently marked as "Not Available," regular inspections are conducted to ensure its safety and operational efficiency.
With its uncontrolled spillway type spanning the length of the dam, the Carpentersville Dam presents a unique opportunity for visitors to witness the power of water flow and appreciate the importance of responsible water resource management. As efforts continue to monitor and maintain the structure, the dam remains a valued asset for the community, offering a peaceful retreat for those seeking to connect with nature and experience the wonders of the Fox River.
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 Carpentersville Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Fox River At Algonquin (Tailwater) | 815 cfs | → |
| Fox River At Algonquin | 725 cfs | → |
| Tyler Creek At Elgin | 27 cfs | → |
| Poplar Creek At Elgin | 6 cfs | → |
| Fox River At South Elgin | 1,090 cfs | → |
| Ferson Creek Near St. Charles | 28 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Carpentersville Dam.
Boat launches
- Washington Street Carpentersville
- Fox River Trail Carpentersville
- Airport Road 50, Elgin
- Fox River Trail East Dundee
- Fox River Trail Elgin
- Hilltop Drive 145, Lake In The Hills
Campgrounds
- The Hollows Conservation Area Campground
- Camp Reinberg
- Blackwell Youth Campground
- Camp Lakota - A Boyscouts Of America Camp
- Mud Lake West
- Fourth Lake Resort Campsite
Fishing spots
Track Carpentersville 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 Carpentersville Dam
Where does the data for Carpentersville 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 Carpentersville Dam.