Marion Prison Lake Dam dam
Marion Prison Lake Dam
Marion Prison Lake Dam, located in Marion, Illinois, is a vital water resource structure designed by Hanson Engineers. Completed in 1991, this Federal-owned Earth dam serves the primary purpose of water supply, with a storage capacity of 601 acre-feet and a surface area of 37 acres. The dam stands at a height of 26 feet and spans 695 feet in length, regulating the flow of the TRIB LIMB BRANCH stream.
Managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Marion Prison Lake Dam is subject to regular state inspections, permitting, and enforcement to ensure its structural integrity and safety. With a significant hazard potential and moderate risk assessment, emergency action plans have been prepared to address potential threats. Despite facing some regulatory challenges, the dam continues to play a crucial role in water management for the Williamson County region.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts are drawn to Marion Prison Lake Dam for its strategic location and impact on the local ecosystem. As a key water supply infrastructure in the area, the dam's operational efficiency and maintenance are crucial factors in sustaining water resources and mitigating environmental risks. With a robust design and state-regulated oversight, Marion Prison Lake Dam stands as a testament to effective water management practices in Illinois.
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 Marion Prison Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Crab Orchard Creek Near Marion | 2 cfs | → |
| South Fork Saline River Nr Carrier Mills | 22 cfs | → |
| Big Muddy River At Plumfield | 256 cfs | → |
| Big Muddy River At Rte 127 At Murphysboro | 523 cfs | → |
| Cache River At Forman | 3 cfs | → |
| Lusk Creek Near Eddyville | 16 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Marion Prison Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Reservoir Road 11298, Williamson County
- Devil's Kitchen Boat Dock
- Broken Handle Lane 2599, Williamson County
- Hickory Johnson County
- 950 North Williamson County
- Foreville Road Williamson County
Campgrounds
- Devil's Kitchen Campground
- Turkey Ridge Tent Campground
- Little Grassy Campground & Marina
- Horse Campground
- Camp Ondessonk
- Red Bud Campground
Fishing spots
- Lake Of Egypt
- Dutchman Lake
- Little Cache Lake #1 (Bowman Lake)
- One Horse Gap Lake
- Lake Tecumseh
- Whoopie Cat Lake
Paddle runs
- 1 Mile West Of Alto Pass, Il To 1/2 Mile South Of Confluence With Clear Creek, West Of Trail Of Tears State Forest
- 1 Minle Southwest Of Delwood, Il (Sec. 18, T11s, R13e) To Reesville, 1/4 Mile South Of The Confluence With Sugar Creek
- Source, About 2 Miles East Of Delwood, Il (Sec 10, T11s, R6e) To Bridge At Eddyville Blacktop (Se1/4,Sec.16,T12s, R6e)
- 1/2 Mile Downstream Of Confluence With Kinkaid Creek To Confluence With Mississippi River, Approx 4 Miles South Of Grand Tower, Il
- Bridge At Eddyville Blacktop To Confluence With Ohio River At Golconda,Il
- Wallace Cemetery Approx 2.5 Miles Nw Of Herod, Il To Confluence With Ohio River At Golconda Jobs Corp Center
Track Marion Prison Lake 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 Marion Prison Lake Dam
Where does the data for Marion Prison 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 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 Marion Prison Lake Dam.