Fermilab Main Injector Dam dam
Fermilab Main Injector Dam
Located in Batavia, Illinois, the Fermilab Main Injector Dam stands as a critical structure along Indian Creek, serving as a key component for flood risk reduction in the area. Built in 1997 and designed by FLUOR DANIEL, this earth dam stretches 3,500 feet in length and reaches a height of 18 feet, with a storage capacity of 9,000 acre-feet. While its hazard potential is classified as low, the dam is regulated by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, ensuring state oversight for its operation, inspection, and enforcement.
With its primary purpose geared towards flood risk reduction, the Fermilab Main Injector Dam plays a crucial role in safeguarding the surrounding community from potential water-related disasters. Despite its moderate risk assessment ranking, the dam's condition assessment is currently listed as not available, highlighting the need for continued monitoring and maintenance. Furthermore, the presence of an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 9 feet underscores the importance of proper management to mitigate any potential risks associated with high water levels and heavy rainfall.
As a federally owned structure, the Fermilab Main Injector Dam remains a key asset in the region's water resource and climate resilience efforts. With its low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment, the dam's role in flood risk reduction underscores the importance of maintaining and monitoring its structural integrity to ensure continued protection for the community and surrounding areas.
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 Fermilab Main Injector Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Kress Creek At West Chicago | 3 cfs | → |
| Mill Creek Near Batavia | 15 cfs | → |
| Spring Bk At Forest Preserve Nr Warrenville | 12 cfs | → |
| West Br Du Page River Near Warrenville | 103 cfs | → |
| Fox River At Montgomery | 1,230 cfs | → |
| W Branch Du Page River Nr West Chicago | 43 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Fermilab Main Injector Dam.
Boat launches
- Fox River Trail Geneva
- Fox River Trail Aurora
- North River Lane Geneva
- River Bend Trail Kane County
- Creekside Court Blackberry Township
- Dupage River Trail Naperville
Campgrounds
- Blackwell Youth Campground
- Camp Bullfrog Lake
- Pioneer Grove
- Camp Reinberg
- The Hollows Conservation Area Campground
- Des Plaines State Conservation Area
Fishing spots
Track Fermilab Main Injector 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 Fermilab Main Injector Dam
Where does the data for Fermilab Main Injector 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 Fermilab Main Injector Dam.