Melvin Price Locks And Dam dam
Melvin Price Locks And Dam
Melvin Price Locks and Dam, located on the Mississippi River in Alton, Illinois, is a federal structure owned and managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Completed in 1990, this concrete dam stands at 72 feet tall and has a hydraulic height of 49 feet, serving primarily for navigation purposes. With a length of 1700 feet and a storage capacity of 238,000 acre-feet, this dam plays a crucial role in managing water levels and flow along the Mississippi River.
The dam's spillway is controlled and spans 1160 feet, with two locks measuring 1200 feet long and 110 feet wide. Despite its significant hazard potential, the US Army Corps of Engineers closely monitors and manages the dam to mitigate flood risks. Regular inspections, maintenance, and updates to the emergency action plan ensure the dam's structural integrity and readiness to respond to any potential emergencies. The Corps actively collaborates with local emergency managers and the public to raise awareness and prepare for potential dam-related incidents, reflecting a commitment to safeguarding water resources and climate resilience in the region.
In the face of unpredictable weather events and changing hydrological conditions, Melvin Price Locks and Dam stands as a critical infrastructure for water resource management. Its role in regulating water flow, supporting navigation, and addressing flood risks underscores the importance of proactive risk management and preparedness in safeguarding communities and ecosystems along the Mississippi River. With ongoing monitoring and maintenance efforts, this dam serves as a testament to the dedication of the US Army Corps of Engineers in ensuring the safety and resilience of water resources 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 Melvin Price Locks And Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Coldwater Creek Near Black Jack | 1,100 cfs | → |
| Indian Creek At Wanda | 578 cfs | → |
| Mill Creek Near Florissant | 75 cfs | → |
| Watkins Creek Near Bellefontaine Neighbors | 6 cfs | → |
| Watkins Creek At Bellefontaine Nbr | 1 cfs | → |
| Maline Creek At Bellefontaine Nbr | 804 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Melvin Price Locks And Dam.
Boat launches
- Riverlands Way West Alton
- Spanish Pond Road Spanish Lake
- Spanish Lake
- Old Jamestown
- Saale Road West Alton
- Mc Adams Highway Jersey County
Track Melvin Price Locks And 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 Melvin Price Locks And Dam
Where does the data for Melvin Price Locks And 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 Melvin Price Locks And Dam.