Dennis Russell Dam dam
Dennis Russell Dam
Located in Knox, Illinois, the Dennis Russell Dam stands as a testament to human ingenuity and environmental stewardship. Built in 1970, this private-owned earth dam serves primarily for recreational purposes, offering a serene escape for water resource and climate enthusiasts alike. With a height of 10 feet and a length of 200 feet, the dam boasts a storage capacity of 100 acre-feet and a maximum discharge capability to maintain water levels in the adjacent Trib Haw Creek.
Maintained and regulated by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the Dennis Russell Dam has a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment score of 3. Despite its uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates, the dam's overall condition is deemed acceptable, with regular inspections and enforcement ensuring its safety and functionality. The dam's strategic location and design not only provide essential water management benefits but also contribute to the surrounding ecosystem's vitality and biodiversity.
As climate change continues to impact water resources globally, the Dennis Russell Dam stands as a vital infrastructure piece in the region. With its commitment to recreation, environmental conservation, and public safety, this dam serves as a model for sustainable water management practices and a beacon of hope for future generations of water resource and climate enthusiasts.
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 Dennis Russell Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Spoon River At London Mills | 441 cfs | → |
| Indian Creek Near Wyoming | 13 cfs | → |
| Edwards River Near Orion | 66 cfs | → |
| Spoon River At Seville | 594 cfs | → |
| Henderson Creek Near Oquawka | 237 cfs | → |
| Illinois River At Kingston Mines | 12,400 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Dennis Russell Dam.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
Track Dennis Russell 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 Dennis Russell Dam
Where does the data for Dennis Russell 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 Dennis Russell Dam.