Wold Lake Dam dam
Wold Lake Dam
Wold Lake Dam, located in Bull Valley, Illinois, on Boone Creek, stands as a testament to the importance of water resources in the region. Completed in 1965, this private-owned Earth dam primarily serves the purpose of recreational activities, offering a serene retreat for locals and visitors alike. With a height of 11 feet and a length of 800 feet, the dam holds a storage capacity of 400 acre-feet, providing essential water management functions for the area.
Despite its age, Wold Lake Dam remains in good condition, with low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 59 feet, ensuring safe discharge of excess water during peak flow events. Although the last inspection was conducted in August 2013, the dam is subject to regular state regulation, inspection, and enforcement to maintain its structural integrity and safety standards. While the exact volume of the dam is not provided, its critical role in water resource management for McHenry County is undeniable.
With its picturesque setting and vital role in water resource management, Wold Lake Dam stands as a symbol of the intersection between human engineering and natural ecosystems. As climate change continues to impact water resources, the importance of well-maintained dams like Wold Lake in preserving water quality and quantity for future generations cannot be understated. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Wold Lake Dam serves as a case study in the ongoing efforts to balance human needs with environmental sustainability in a changing world.
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 Wold Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Boone Creek Near Mc Henry | 6 cfs | → |
| Nippersink Creek Above Wonder Lake | 32 cfs | → |
| Nippersink Creek Near Spring Grove | 147 cfs | → |
| Fox River At Algonquin | 725 cfs | → |
| Fox River At Algonquin (Tailwater) | 769 cfs | → |
| White River At Center Street At Lake Geneva | 0 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Wold Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Country Club Drive North 102, Mchenry
- North River Road Mchenry
- Leonard Parkway 619, Crystal Lake
- Harts Road Spring Grove
- Lake Atwood Boat Launch
- Hilltop Drive 145, Lake In The Hills
Campgrounds
- The Hollows Conservation Area Campground
- Camp Lakota - A Boyscouts Of America Camp
- North Branch Conservation Area (Cyclists Only)
- Mud Lake West
- Tent Camping @ Big Foot Beach State Park
- Rv Camping @ Big Foot Beach State Park
Fishing spots
Track Wold 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 Wold Lake Dam
Where does the data for Wold 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 Wold Lake Dam.