Marsh Lake Dam dam
Marsh Lake Dam
Marsh Lake Dam in Modena, Illinois, stands as a key recreational resource along the TRIB East Fork Spoon River. Built in 1965, this private-owned Earth dam boasts a height of 30 feet and a length of 270 feet, providing storage for up to 115 acre-feet of water. With a spillway width of 36 feet, the dam's uncontrolled spillway type and low hazard potential make it a safe and enjoyable destination for water enthusiasts.
Managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Marsh Lake Dam is subject to state regulation, inspection, and enforcement to ensure its safety and compliance with water resource management guidelines. Despite a moderate risk assessment, the dam remains a popular spot for recreation, offering opportunities for boating, fishing, and wildlife observation. While its condition assessment is currently unavailable, ongoing inspections every five years help to monitor and maintain the dam's structural integrity.
Located in Stark County, Illinois, Marsh Lake Dam is a picturesque site with a rich history of providing recreational opportunities for locals and visitors alike. As a vital component of the surrounding ecosystem, the dam serves as both a water storage facility and a hub for outdoor activities, contributing to the region's water resource management and climate resilience efforts. With its peaceful surroundings and well-maintained infrastructure, Marsh Lake Dam continues to be a cherished destination for water and climate enthusiasts seeking to connect with nature.
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 Marsh Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Indian Creek Near Wyoming | 22 cfs | → |
| Big Bureau Creek At Princeton | 50 cfs | → |
| Illinois River At Henry | 12,000 cfs | → |
| East Bureau Creek Near Bureau | 2 cfs | → |
| Green River Near Geneseo | 588 cfs | → |
| Edwards River Near Orion | 66 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Marsh Lake Dam.
Track Marsh 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 Marsh Lake Dam
Where does the data for Marsh 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 Marsh Lake Dam.