Thomas J. O'Brien Lock And Controlling Works dam
Thomas J. O'Brien Lock And Controlling Works
The Thomas J. O'Brien Lock and Controlling Works, also known as Lake Calumet, is a vital infrastructure project located in Chicago, Illinois. Completed in 1960, this Federal-owned structure serves multiple purposes, including navigation and flood risk reduction along the Calumet River. With a primary purpose of facilitating navigation between Lake Michigan and the Chicago Area Waterways, the lock plays a crucial role in connecting the region to the Illinois Waterway.
In addition to its navigational function, the T.J. O'Brien Lock and Controlling Works also serves as a key flood control mechanism, allowing for backflow to Lake Michigan and reducing flood damages in the event of high water levels. The project's design includes a concrete dam and various gates to manage water levels and prevent downstream flooding, particularly in the southern part of Chicago. With a high hazard potential, the lock's operators continuously monitor and maintain the facility, working in collaboration with other agencies to ensure effective risk management measures are in place.
Overall, the T.J. O'Brien Lock and Controlling Works plays a critical role in safeguarding the surrounding communities from flood events while supporting essential navigation in the region. By closely coordinating with local authorities and implementing rigorous inspection and emergency response protocols, the lock remains a vital component of water resource management and climate resilience efforts in the area.
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 Thomas J. O'Brien Lock And Controlling Works -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Calumet R At Hohman Ave. At Hammond | 137 cfs | → |
| Little Calumet River At South Holland | 73 cfs | → |
| Indiana Harbor Canal At East Chicago | 1,820 cfs | → |
| Little Calumet River At Munster | 21 cfs | → |
| Thorn Creek At Thornton | 65 cfs | → |
| Hart Ditch At Munster | 27 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Thomas J. O'Brien Lock And Controlling Works.
Boat launches
- East 138th Street Riverdale
- East 133rd Street Riverdale
- South Wolf Lake Boulevard Hegewisch
- South Brainard Avenue Burnham
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Track Thomas J. O'Brien Lock And Controlling Works 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 Thomas J. O'Brien Lock And Controlling Works
Where does the data for Thomas J. O'Brien Lock And Controlling Works 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 High 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 Thomas J. O'Brien Lock And Controlling Works.