Morrison Lake Dam dam
Morrison Lake Dam
Morrison Lake Dam, located in Mercer County, Illinois, was completed in 1965 by the USDA NRCS and serves as a vital recreational resource for the community. The 33-foot earth dam, with a primary purpose of recreation, impounds Morrison Lake and offers opportunities for boating, fishing, and other water activities. The dam is under the jurisdiction of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and is regulated, inspected, and enforced by the IDNR to ensure safety and compliance with state regulations.
With a storage capacity of 125 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 85 acre-feet, Morrison Lake Dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the area. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 31 feet and is classified as having a significant hazard potential. While the condition assessment of the dam is not available, regular inspections are conducted every three years to ensure its structural integrity and safety. Despite moderate risk assessment, the dam continues to provide valuable recreational opportunities while also serving as a key component of water resource management in the region.
In the event of an emergency, the dam's Emergency Action Plan (EAP) status and preparedness remain unspecified. However, the dam is associated with the risk management measures and guidelines to mitigate potential hazards. With its strategic location on the Edwards River tributary and the dedication to recreational purposes, Morrison Lake Dam stands as a vital infrastructure for both water enthusiasts and climate advocates 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 Morrison Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Edwards River Near New Boston | 232 cfs | → |
| Pope Creek Near Keithsburg | 108 cfs | → |
| Iowa River At Wapello | 9,290 cfs | → |
| Henderson Creek Near Oquawka | 281 cfs | → |
| Cedar River Near Conesville | 5,490 cfs | → |
| Mill Creek At Milan | 34 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Morrison Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Prairie Street 5898, Louisa County
- Prairie Street 5882, Louisa County
- 4th Street 201, Keithsburg
- 78th Street Louisa County
- 20th Street 1000, Louisa County
- 120th Street Louisa County
Track Morrison 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 Morrison Lake Dam
Where does the data for Morrison 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 Morrison Lake Dam.