Horseshoe Lake Dam dam
Horseshoe Lake Dam
Horseshoe Lake Dam, located in Alexander County, Illinois, serves as a crucial structure for water resource management and recreation in the area. Completed in 1950, this earth dam stands at a height of 10 feet and has a storage capacity of 6615 acre-feet, primarily for recreational purposes. Managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), the dam is state-regulated and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its safety and functionality.
The dam's location on Lake Creek and its proximity to Horseshoe Lake make it a key feature in the region's water management system. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam is equipped with an uncontrolled spillway and outlets gates to manage water flow effectively. While the condition assessment of the dam is not currently available, its risk assessment categorizes it as moderate, highlighting the importance of ongoing monitoring and maintenance to mitigate potential risks and ensure the safety of surrounding communities and the environment.
With its scenic location and recreational opportunities, Horseshoe Lake Dam stands as a testament to the intersection of water resource management and public enjoyment. As climate change continues to impact water resources, the importance of structures like the Horseshoe Lake Dam in maintaining a balance between human needs and environmental preservation becomes increasingly evident. Through state regulation, regular inspections, and risk management measures, this dam plays a crucial role in sustaining the delicate ecosystem of the area while providing valuable recreational opportunities for visitors and residents alike.
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 Horseshoe Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi River At Thebes | 338,000 cfs | → |
| Cache River At Forman | 3,860 cfs | → |
| Bayou Creek Near Grahamville | 5 cfs | → |
| Little River Ditch No. 1 Near Morehouse | 997 cfs | → |
| Little Bayou Creek Near Grahamville | 1 cfs | → |
| Ohio River At Metropolis | 444,000 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Horseshoe Lake Dam.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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More reservoirs
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About Horseshoe Lake Dam
Where does the data for Horseshoe Lake 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 below 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.
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.