Thunderbird Lake 2 Dam dam
Thunderbird Lake 2 Dam
Thunderbird Lake 2 Dam, located in McHenry, Illinois, is a privately owned structure built in 1965 for recreational purposes. The dam, standing at 10 feet tall and stretching 360 feet in length, serves as a barrier on Sleepy Hollow Creek to create Thunderbird Lake. With a storage capacity of 395 acre-feet, the dam offers opportunities for outdoor activities such as boating and fishing in the surrounding area.
Managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Thunderbird Lake 2 Dam is subject to regular state inspections and enforcement measures to ensure its safety and compliance with regulations. Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential, the dam is considered to have a moderate risk level, underscoring the importance of ongoing risk assessment and management. Though details on the dam's condition assessment and emergency action plan are not currently available, the structure continues to provide recreational enjoyment while being monitored for any potential issues.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Thunderbird Lake 2 Dam presents a unique case study of a privately owned earth dam designed for recreational purposes. Situated in a picturesque setting and regulated by the state of Illinois, the dam exemplifies the intersection of human-made infrastructure with natural resources. As efforts to mitigate risks and ensure safety continue, Thunderbird Lake 2 Dam remains a focal point for outdoor enthusiasts seeking adventure and relaxation in the heart of McHenry County.
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 Thunderbird Lake 2 Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Boone Creek Near Mc Henry | 6 cfs | → |
| Fox River At Algonquin | 725 cfs | → |
| Fox River At Algonquin (Tailwater) | 769 cfs | → |
| Nippersink Creek Above Wonder Lake | 32 cfs | → |
| Nippersink Creek Near Spring Grove | 147 cfs | → |
| Tyler Creek At Elgin | 18 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Thunderbird Lake 2 Dam.
Boat launches
- Lake Atwood Boat Launch
- Country Club Drive North 102, Mchenry
- North River Road Mchenry
- Leonard Parkway 619, Crystal Lake
- Fox River Preserve Lake County
- Picnic Grove Park
Campgrounds
- The Hollows Conservation Area Campground
- Mud Lake West
- Camp Reinberg
- Fourth Lake Resort Campsite
- Camp Lakota - A Boyscouts Of America Camp
- North Branch Conservation Area (Cyclists Only)
Fishing spots
Track Thunderbird Lake 2 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 Thunderbird Lake 2 Dam
Where does the data for Thunderbird Lake 2 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 Thunderbird Lake 2 Dam.