Kemery Lake Dam dam
Kemery Lake Dam
Kemery Lake Dam, located in Will County, Illinois, is a federal-owned structure managed by the Corps of Engineers. Built in 1942, this Earth-type dam stands at 20 feet high and spans 200 feet in length, serving primarily as a water supply source. Situated on Prairie Creek, the dam has a storage capacity of 116 acre-feet, with a spillway width of 83 feet.
With a high hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating, Kemery Lake Dam is regulated by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, with state permitting, inspection, and enforcement in place. Despite its age, the dam's condition assessment is not available, and its last inspection was conducted in 2006. While an emergency action plan is not currently prepared, the dam's risk management measures and guidelines are under review.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will be intrigued by Kemery Lake Dam's historical significance and critical role in the local water supply system. The dam's location within the Joliet Army Ammunitions Plant adds to its unique characteristics, highlighting the intersection of infrastructure development and environmental conservation in the region. As efforts to enhance dam safety and resilience continue, Kemery Lake Dam remains a focal point for ongoing monitoring and risk management strategies.
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 Kemery Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Kankakee River Near Wilmington | 3,240 cfs | → |
| Hickory Creek At Joliet | 51 cfs | → |
| Du Page River At Shorewood | 310 cfs | → |
| Mazon River Near Coal City | 217 cfs | → |
| Long Run Near Lemont | 6 cfs | → |
| East Branch Du Page River At Bolingbrook | 94 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Kemery Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Cottage Road Will County
- Novy Road Shadow Lakes
- Channahon Road Joliet
- Shadow Lakes
- West Shepley Road Channahon
- Braidwood Lake North Ramp
Campgrounds
- Des Plaines State Conservation Area
- Desplaines Conservational Park
- Kankakee River State Park
- Davis Creek Group Camp
- Camp Bullfrog Lake
- Pioneer Grove
Fishing spots
Track Kemery 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 Kemery Lake Dam
Where does the data for Kemery 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 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 Kemery Lake Dam.