Willow Lake Dam dam
Willow Lake Dam
Willow Lake Dam, located in Freeport, Illinois, is a privately owned structure that serves multiple purposes, including recreation. Built in 1974 by designer JAMES F. GASTEL, this earth dam stands at a height of 25 feet and spans a length of 590 feet, with a storage capacity of 299 acre-feet. Situated on the Tributary of Pecatonica River, it plays a crucial role in regulating water flow and providing recreational opportunities for the community.
Managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), Willow Lake Dam has a spillway width of 55 feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 2313 cubic feet per second. With a hazard potential rated as high, the dam is inspected annually to ensure public safety. Despite its moderate risk assessment, the dam's condition assessment is currently not available, indicating a potential need for further evaluation and maintenance to mitigate any risks associated with its operation.
With its scenic location and vital role in water resource management, Willow Lake Dam stands as a significant landmark in Stephenson County, Illinois. As climate change continues to impact water resources, the proper maintenance and regulation of structures like Willow Lake Dam are essential to ensure the safety and sustainability of water systems in the region.
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 Willow Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Pecatonica River At Freeport | 964 cfs | → |
| Pecatonica River At Martintown | 825 cfs | → |
| Sugar River Near Brodhead | 433 cfs | → |
| Rock River At Byron | 8,230 cfs | → |
| Pecatonica River Nr Shirland | 1,810 cfs | → |
| Elkhorn Creek Near Penrose | 84 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Willow Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Jane Addams Trail Freeport
- West Cedarville Road Lena
- Breckenboro Road 2226, Winnebago County
- Lakeshore Drive 3630, Winnebago County
- Beckman Lake -- Cadiz Springs State Park
- Pecatonica River -- Pecatonica Bridge At Sth 11
Track Willow 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 Willow Lake Dam
Where does the data for Willow 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 Willow Lake Dam.