White Pine Ditch Dam dam
White Pine Ditch Dam
White Pine Ditch Dam, also known as White Pine Ditch Reservoir, is a crucial structure located in Arlington Heights, Cook County, Illinois. Built in 1975 by HATTIS ASSOCIATES INC., this earth dam stands at a height of 13 feet and spans 500 feet in length. The primary purpose of the dam is flood risk reduction along the White Pine Ditch, contributing to the overall safety and protection of the area from potential water-related disasters.
Managed by the local government and regulated by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, White Pine Ditch Dam plays a significant role in mitigating flood hazards in the region. With a storage capacity of 5 acre-feet, the dam is designed to handle controlled spillways and other outlet gates for efficient water management. Despite its age, the dam's hazard potential is considered significant, highlighting the need for regular inspections and maintenance to ensure its continued functionality and safety.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, White Pine Ditch Dam serves as a vital infrastructure piece in the broader network of flood risk reduction measures. Its location, design, and purpose underscore the importance of proactive water management strategies in addressing the challenges posed by changing environmental conditions. As part of ongoing risk assessment and management efforts, the dam remains a critical asset in safeguarding the community against potential inundation events, signaling the importance of sustainable water resource practices in the face of climate uncertainty.
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 White Pine Ditch Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Buffalo Creek Near Wheeling | 37 cfs | → |
| Mc Donald Creek Near Mount Prospect | 11 cfs | → |
| Des Plaines River Near Des Plaines | 350 cfs | → |
| Wf Of Nb Chicago River At Northbrook Il | 64 cfs | → |
| Salt Creek At Rolling Meadows | 122 cfs | → |
| Weller Creek At Des Plaines | 1 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near White Pine Ditch Dam.
Boat launches
- Beck Lake Boat Launch
- Des Plaines River Trail Mettawa
- Canoe/Kayak Ramp Vernon Hills
- East Higgins Road Elk Grove Township
- Central Avenue Highland Park
- North Branch Red Paved Trail Northfield
Campgrounds
- Camp Reinberg
- The Hollows Conservation Area Campground
- Fourth Lake Resort Campsite
- Mud Lake West
- Blackwell Youth Campground
- Camp Bullfrog Lake
Fishing spots
Track White Pine Ditch 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 White Pine Ditch Dam
Where does the data for White Pine Ditch 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 White Pine Ditch Dam.