Walter Pence Pond Dam dam
Walter Pence Pond Dam
Located in Hillview, Illinois, the Walter Pence Pond Dam, also known as Pence Pond, serves as a vital resource for fish and wildlife in the area. Constructed in 1968 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at a height of 30 feet and spans 305 feet in length. With a primary purpose of supporting fish and wildlife habitats, the dam also serves other functions such as fire protection and stock or small fish pond management.
Managed by a private owner, the Walter Pence Pond Dam is regulated by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, with state inspections and enforcement in place to ensure its safety and compliance. With a maximum storage capacity of 51 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 36 acre-feet, the dam plays a crucial role in maintaining the ecological balance of the surrounding area. The dam's spillway, which is uncontrolled and 20 feet wide, helps manage water flow and prevent overflow during periods of high discharge.
Despite being classified as having a moderate risk level, the Walter Pence Pond Dam remains an essential structure for the community, providing valuable resources for both wildlife and residents alike. As climate change continues to impact water resources, the maintenance and management of dams like Walter Pence Pond are crucial in ensuring the sustainability and resilience of our ecosystems.
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 Walter Pence Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Macoupin Creek Near Kane | 842 cfs | → |
| Illinois River At Valley City | 33,100 cfs | → |
| Bay Creek At Pittsfield | 43 cfs | → |
| La Moine River At Ripley | 416 cfs | → |
| Cuivre River Near Troy | 289 cfs | → |
| Mill Creek Near Florissant | 1 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Walter Pence Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Oak Street Kampsville
- Florance Boat Ramp
- Pike County
- Clarksville
- South Harbor Road Lincoln County
- Waverly Lake Road Morgan County
Track Walter Pence Pond 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 Walter Pence Pond Dam
Where does the data for Walter Pence Pond 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 Undetermined 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 Walter Pence Pond Dam.