Behnken Lake Dam dam
Behnken Lake Dam
Behnken Lake Dam, located in Randolph, Illinois, was completed in 1975 and serves primarily for recreational purposes. The dam stands at a height of 24 feet and has a length of 700 feet, providing storage capacity of 85 acre-feet with a normal storage level of 62 acre-feet. Situated on TRIB MARYS RIVER, the dam is owned privately but regulated by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) with state jurisdiction, permitting, inspection, and enforcement in place.
With a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating, Behnken Lake Dam has an uncontrolled spillway and is constructed mainly of earth and stone materials on a soil foundation. The dam's condition assessment is currently not available, and the last inspection was conducted in August 2018 with a scheduled frequency of every 5 years. While the dam does not have outlet gates, locks, or associated structures, it remains an essential component for recreational activities in STEELEVILLE, Illinois, attracting water resource and climate enthusiasts to its tranquil waters and scenic surroundings.
Despite its simple design and low hazard potential, Behnken Lake Dam plays a vital role in providing recreational opportunities and water storage in the region. As a privately owned structure regulated by the IDNR, the dam ensures public safety and environmental protection while offering a serene location for outdoor activities. With its longstanding history and ongoing maintenance, Behnken Lake Dam continues to be a significant feature along TRIB MARYS RIVER, contributing to the natural beauty and water resource management of Randolph, 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 Behnken Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi River At Chester | 257,000 cfs | → |
| South Fork Saline Creek Near Perryville | 22 cfs | → |
| Big Muddy River At Rte 127 At Murphysboro | 454 cfs | → |
| Kaskaskia River At New Athens | 7,150 cfs | → |
| Richland Creek Near Hecker | 120 cfs | → |
| Silver Creek Near Freeburg | 155 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Behnken Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Water Street Chester
- Il 151 Jackson County
- Johnson Creek Road Jackson County
- Phegley Resort Lane Randolph County
- Randolph County
- Front Street 677, Grand Tower
Campgrounds
- Randolph County State Conservation Area
- Pyramid State Park
- Johnson Creek
- Johnson Creek Campground
- Fort Kaskaskia State Park
- Lake Murphysboro State Park
Track Behnken 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 Behnken Lake Dam
Where does the data for Behnken 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 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 Behnken Lake Dam.