Rowe Lake Dam dam
Rowe Lake Dam
Rowe Lake Dam, located in Morgan County, Illinois, is a privately owned earth dam completed in 1970 with a primary purpose of recreation. Standing at 27 feet high and spanning 393 feet in length, the dam holds a maximum storage capacity of 177 acre-feet, providing a serene water resource for outdoor enthusiasts. The dam overlooks Brushy Fork River and is regulated by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, ensuring state jurisdiction, permitting, inspection, and enforcement measures are in place.
Despite its significant hazard potential, with a moderate risk assessment rating of 3, Rowe Lake Dam has not had its condition assessed recently. The dam's spillway type is uncontrolled, with uncontrolled outlet gates, emphasizing the importance of proper maintenance and emergency preparedness. While the dam has a history of modifications dating back to its completion, there is limited information on risk management measures, emergency action plans, and inundation maps, highlighting areas for improvement in ensuring the safety and sustainability of this water resource.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Rowe Lake Dam presents a unique opportunity to explore the intersection of recreational use and dam safety. With its picturesque location and potential for outdoor activities, the dam serves as a valuable asset to the community. However, continued monitoring and maintenance are essential to mitigate risks and ensure the long-term viability of this water infrastructure. As discussions around climate change and water management evolve, Rowe Lake Dam stands as a reminder of the importance of proactive stewardship in safeguarding our natural resources for future generations.
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 Rowe Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois River At Valley City | 33,100 cfs | → |
| Bay Creek At Pittsfield | 43 cfs | → |
| Macoupin Creek Near Kane | 842 cfs | → |
| La Moine River At Ripley | 416 cfs | → |
| Spring Creek At Springfield | 117 cfs | → |
| Sangamon River At Petersburg | 1,960 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Rowe Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Waverly Lake Road Morgan County
- Florance Boat Ramp
- Gridley Road Cass County
- County Highway 11 Cass County
- Gurney Road Cass County
- Oak Street Kampsville
Track Rowe 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 Rowe Lake Dam
Where does the data for Rowe 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 Rowe Lake Dam.