Willow Lake Estates Dam dam
Willow Lake Estates Dam
Willow Lake Estates Dam, located in Monroe, Illinois, is a privately owned earth dam completed in 1996 for recreational purposes.3 The dam stands at a height of 17 feet and spans a length of 550 feet, with a maximum storage capacity of 55 acre-feet and a normal storage capacity of 32 acre-feet. The dam is situated on the TRIB PARAIRIE DULONG CR river or stream and is regulated by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
Despite its low hazard potential, the dam has a moderate risk assessment rating of 3, indicating the need for ongoing monitoring and management measures. The last inspection of Willow Lake Estates Dam was conducted in July 2015, with an inspection frequency of 5 years. While the condition assessment is reported as not available, the dam is equipped with an uncontrolled spillway and does not have any associated locks or outlet gates.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in the intersection of infrastructure and environmental impact may find Willow Lake Estates Dam a compelling case study. Its relatively modest size and recreational purpose offer valuable insights into the management and regulation of private dams in Illinois, as well as the importance of monitoring and assessing risk in dam infrastructure. With its location in a scenic natural setting, the dam serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between human activity and the preservation of water resources for future generations.
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 Willow Lake Estates Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Richland Creek Near Hecker | 2,570 cfs | → |
| Kaskaskia River At New Athens | 9,610 cfs | → |
| Silver Creek Near Freeburg | 1,270 cfs | → |
| Martigney Creek Near Arnold | 17 cfs | → |
| Mattese Creek Near Mattese | 37 cfs | → |
| Gravois Creek Near Mehlville | 154 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Willow Lake Estates Dam.
Boat launches
- Il 13 New Athens
- Randolph County
- Williamson Road Oakville
- North 1st Street 2252, Fayetteville
- Lemay Ferry Road Oakville
- Davis Street Ferry Road East Carondelet
Campgrounds
- Scott Afb Military
- Fort Kaskaskia State Park
- Horseshoe Lake Recreation Area
- Randolph County State Conservation Area
Paddle runs
Track Willow Lake Estates 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 Willow Lake Estates Dam
Where does the data for Willow Lake Estates 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 Willow Lake Estates Dam.