Kilton Lake Dam dam
Kilton Lake Dam
Located in Montgomery County, Illinois, Kilton Lake Dam is a private dam with a primary purpose of serving as a Fish and Wildlife Pond. Built in 1960 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at a height of 19 feet and has a length of 345 feet, providing a storage capacity of 84 acre-feet. With a surface area of 8 acres and a drainage area of 0.1 square miles, the dam is regulated by the IDNR and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its safety and compliance with state regulations.
The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 29 feet, allowing a maximum discharge of 150 cubic feet per second. Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential, Kilton Lake Dam is considered to have a moderate risk level, indicating the importance of ongoing risk assessment and management measures. The dam's location on Threemile Creek-offstream in Panama, Illinois, provides a valuable habitat for wildlife and offers recreational opportunities for visitors. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, the Kilton Lake Dam serves as a fascinating example of the intersection between human infrastructure and natural ecosystems, showcasing the importance of balancing conservation with development.
As enthusiasts of water resources and climate, the Kilton Lake Dam offers a compelling case study in dam management and regulation. With its multiple purposes including fire protection, stock, and recreation, the dam plays a vital role in supporting the local ecosystem and providing a source of enjoyment for the community. The collaboration between the USDA NRCS, the IDNR, and other agencies highlights the importance of partnership in ensuring the safety and sustainability of water infrastructure. By understanding the design, construction, and ongoing maintenance of Kilton Lake Dam, enthusiasts can gain valuable insights into the complex interplay between human activities and natural resources in the face of a changing climate.
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 Kilton Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| East Fork Shoal Creek Near Coffeen | 27 cfs | → |
| Hurricane Creek Near Mulberry Grove | 56 cfs | → |
| Shoal Creek Nr Pierron | 274 cfs | → |
| South Fork Sangamon River Nr Rochester | 673 cfs | → |
| Cahokia Creek At Edwardsville | 97 cfs | → |
| Indian Creek At Wanda | 22 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Kilton Lake Dam.
Track Kilton 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 Kilton Lake Dam
Where does the data for Kilton 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 Kilton Lake Dam.