Gravel Springs Dam dam
Gravel Springs Dam
Gravel Springs Dam, located in Morgan County, Illinois, is a privately owned structure built in 1990 by the renowned designer BENTON & ASSOC. The dam stands at a height of 28.4 feet and serves as a fish and wildlife pond, providing essential habitat for local flora and fauna. With a storage capacity of 315 acre-feet and a surface area of 10 acres, this Earth-type dam plays a crucial role in supporting recreational activities and preserving the surrounding ecosystem.
Managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Gravel Springs Dam has a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating. Despite its age, the dam has not undergone recent condition assessments, but it is regularly inspected every five years to ensure its structural integrity and safety. The dam's spillway, classified as uncontrolled, has a width of 4 feet, allowing for controlled release of water during high flow events. While the dam currently lacks outlet gates, it remains a vital component of the local watershed, contributing to the conservation efforts in the area.
Surrounded by the scenic beauty of the TRIB MAUVAISE TERRE CREEK, Gravel Springs Dam stands as a testament to the intersection of water resource management and wildlife preservation. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding the role of dams like Gravel Springs in supporting biodiversity and recreational opportunities is essential for sustainable environmental stewardship. With ongoing monitoring and maintenance, this dam continues to play a vital role in enhancing the natural landscape of Morgan County, Illinois, for generations to come.
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 Gravel Springs Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois River At Valley City | 25,900 cfs | → |
| La Moine River At Ripley | 1,240 cfs | → |
| Bay Creek At Pittsfield | 43 cfs | → |
| Sangamon River At Petersburg | 2,410 cfs | → |
| Sangamon River Near Oakford | 3,380 cfs | → |
| Spring Creek At Springfield | 213 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Gravel Springs Dam.
Boat launches
- Florance Boat Ramp
- Waverly Lake Road Morgan County
- Gridley Road Cass County
- Gurney Road Cass County
- County Highway 11 Cass County
Track Gravel Springs 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 Gravel Springs Dam
Where does the data for Gravel Springs 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 Gravel Springs Dam.