The Grove Dam dam
The Grove Dam
The Grove Dam, located in Downs, Illinois, along the Kickapoo Creek, serves as a vital structure for flood risk reduction in the area. Constructed in 2011 by the Farnsworth Group, this earth dam stands at a height of 7 feet and spans a length of 300 feet, providing a storage capacity of 150 acre-feet. Despite its relatively low hazard potential, The Grove Dam is regulated by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity.
With a drainage area of 13.7 square miles and a surface area of 88 acres, The Grove Dam plays a crucial role in managing water flow along the Kickapoo Creek. While it currently lacks a spillway, its low hazard potential and high risk assessment rating signify the importance of proper maintenance and risk management measures. The dam's emergency action plan status, condition assessment, and risk management strategies are areas that may need further attention to enhance its overall effectiveness in flood risk reduction.
As a local government-owned structure, The Grove Dam exemplifies the intersection of water resource management and climate resilience in the face of increasing extreme weather events. Its presence not only safeguards the surrounding McLean County community but also highlights the ongoing need for proactive measures to adapt to changing environmental conditions. By staying vigilant in monitoring and maintaining this essential infrastructure, stakeholders can continue to mitigate flood risks and ensure the long-term sustainability of water resources in the region.
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 The Grove Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar Creek Near Bloomington | 30 cfs | → |
| Kickapoo Creek At Waynesville | 102 cfs | → |
| Mackinaw River Near Congerville | 286 cfs | → |
| Salt Creek Near Rowell | 91 cfs | → |
| Sangamon River At Fisher | 75 cfs | → |
| Vermilion River At Pontiac | 172 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near The Grove Dam.
Boat launches
- North 1200 East Road Mclean County
- Liberty Road 10017, Dewitt County
- 885 N Road Dewitt County
- Lakeview Drive 1717, Eureka
Track The Grove 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 The Grove Dam
Where does the data for The Grove 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 The Grove Dam.