Ipava Settling Basin Dam dam
Ipava Settling Basin Dam
Located in Fulton, Illinois, the Ipava Settling Basin Dam serves as a crucial water resource management structure along the Francis Creek. Built in 1978 by AMAX COAL CO., this private-owned Earth dam stands at a height of 24 feet and spans 480 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 478 acre-feet. Despite its uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates, the dam's hazard potential is classified as low, making it a stable and essential component of the local water infrastructure.
Managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), the Ipava Settling Basin Dam presents a moderate risk assessment level, indicating a need for continued monitoring and maintenance. The dam's primary purpose is listed as "Other," suggesting a multifunctional role in water resource management. With state-regulated permitting, inspection, and enforcement in place, the dam operates under strict guidelines to ensure the safety and integrity of its structure, as well as the surrounding environment.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, the Ipava Settling Basin Dam offers a fascinating case study in dam engineering and management. From its unique design features to its low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment, this Earth dam provides valuable insights into the complexities of maintaining water infrastructure in a dynamic natural environment. As a pivotal structure along the Francis Creek, the dam plays a crucial role in flood control, water storage, and environmental protection, highlighting the intricate interplay between human intervention and natural systems in water resource management.
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 Ipava Settling Basin Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Spoon River At Seville | 675 cfs | → |
| Spoon River At London Mills | 473 cfs | → |
| La Moine River At Colmar | 241 cfs | → |
| Sangamon River Near Oakford | 3,110 cfs | → |
| La Moine River At Ripley | 416 cfs | → |
| Illinois River At Kingston Mines | 11,700 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Ipava Settling Basin Dam.
Boat launches
- West Jefferson Street 598, Havana
- Lakeland Park Road 26005, Canton
- Argyle Park Road Mcdonough County
- Sebree Road Fulton County
- Spring Lake Road Tazewell County
Track Ipava Settling Basin 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 Ipava Settling Basin Dam
Where does the data for Ipava Settling Basin 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 Ipava Settling Basin Dam.