248th Avenue Dam dam
248th Avenue Dam
The 248th Avenue Dam, located in Plainfield, Illinois, along the Wolf Creek, was completed in 2003 by the designer INTECH and serves as a private structure for flood risk reduction. Standing at a height of 10 feet and a length of 190 feet, the dam has a storage capacity of 274 acre-feet and primarily aims to mitigate flood risks in the area. With a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating, the dam is regulated by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, ensuring state jurisdiction, permitting, inspection, and enforcement are all in place to maintain its safety and effectiveness.
Despite its remote location, the 248th Avenue Dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources and protecting the surrounding communities from potential flooding events. With a focus on flood risk reduction as its primary purpose, the dam helps to control the flow of water along the Wolf Creek, contributing to the overall resilience of the region against climate-related challenges. The dam's earth structure with buttress core type and uncontrolled spillway design further highlight its efficiency in handling water discharge and maximizing storage capacity to safeguard the area during heavy rainfall or storm events.
As a private structure, the 248th Avenue Dam underscores the importance of collaboration between public and private entities in managing water resources and adapting to changing climate conditions. With regular inspections, a designated emergency action plan, and a low hazard potential, the dam exemplifies a proactive approach to risk management and ensures the safety of the community it serves. As climate enthusiasts and water resource advocates, understanding and appreciating the critical role of infrastructure like the 248th Avenue Dam is essential in building sustainable and resilient communities for the future.
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 248th Avenue Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Spring Brook At 87th Street Near Naperville | 5 cfs | → |
| West Branch Du Page River Near Naperville | 80 cfs | → |
| Fox River At Montgomery | 1,190 cfs | → |
| East Branch Du Page River At Bolingbrook | 88 cfs | → |
| Blackberry Creek Near Montgomery | 34 cfs | → |
| Du Page River At Shorewood | 388 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near 248th Avenue Dam.
Boat launches
- Dupage River Trail Naperville
- Dupage River Trail Bolingbrook
- Fox River Trail Aurora
- Sundown Lane 7277, Kendall County
- Mcguire Parkway Lemont Township
- West Shepley Road Channahon
Campgrounds
- Blackwell Youth Campground
- Camp Bullfrog Lake
- Pioneer Grove
- Des Plaines State Conservation Area
- Desplaines Conservational Park
- Tony's Cabin
Fishing spots
Track 248th Avenue 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 248th Avenue Dam
Where does the data for 248th Avenue 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 248th Avenue Dam.