Wilmington Dam dam
Wilmington Dam
The Wilmington Dam, located on the Kankakee River in Wilmington, Illinois, was completed in 1920 and serves as a popular recreational spot in the area. Owned by the local government, this gravity dam stands at a height of 12 feet and has a length of 1000 feet, with a storage capacity of 1200 acre-feet. While primarily used for recreation, the dam is also regulated by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its safety and functionality.
Despite its low hazard potential, the Wilmington Dam is considered to have a moderate risk level, indicating the need for ongoing risk management measures. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway and falls under the jurisdiction of the Chicago District of the US Army Corps of Engineers. With a history of periodic inspections and a designated emergency action plan, the Wilmington Dam is well-prepared to address any potential safety concerns and protect the surrounding community in the event of an emergency.
With its picturesque location on the Kankakee River and its important role in providing recreational opportunities for locals and visitors alike, the Wilmington Dam stands as a testament to the intersection of water resource management and climate resilience. As enthusiasts of water resources and climate change, the Wilmington Dam offers a fascinating case study in the balance between human recreation, environmental protection, and infrastructure safety in the face of changing weather patterns and potential risks.
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 Wilmington Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Kankakee River Near Wilmington | 3,240 cfs | → |
| Mazon River Near Coal City | 217 cfs | → |
| Hickory Creek At Joliet | 51 cfs | → |
| Du Page River At Shorewood | 310 cfs | → |
| Long Run Near Lemont | 6 cfs | → |
| Iroquois River Near Chebanse | 706 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Wilmington Dam.
Boat launches
- Novy Road Shadow Lakes
- Shadow Lakes
- Braidwood Lake North Ramp
- Cottage Road Will County
- Essex Road Will County
- Will County
Campgrounds
- Desplaines Conservational Park
- Des Plaines State Conservation Area
- Kankakee River State Park
- Davis Creek Group Camp
- Tony's Cabin
- Illini State Park Campground
Fishing spots
Track Wilmington 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 Wilmington Dam
Where does the data for Wilmington 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 Wilmington Dam.