Lancaster Court Dam dam
Lancaster Court Dam
Lancaster Court Dam, located in Deer Park, Illinois, is a private dam designed by Hey & Associates for flood risk reduction along the tributary Flint Creek. The dam, primarily constructed from earth with a buttress core, stands at a height of 8 feet and spans a length of 240 feet. Despite its modest size, the dam has been designated as having a high hazard potential, emphasizing the importance of its maintenance and regulation.
Managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), Lancaster Court Dam undergoes regular inspections and is subject to state permitting, inspection, and enforcement. The dam's purpose of flood risk reduction aligns with its primary function, with no normal storage capacity but serving a crucial role in mitigating potential flooding events in the area. While the exact year of completion and specific storage and discharge capacities are not available, the dam's strategic location and design make it a key asset in managing water resources in Lake County, Illinois.
Represented in the Chicago District by Congressman Sean Casten, Lancaster Court Dam plays a vital role in protecting the surrounding community from potential flood risks. With a moderate risk assessment rating and a current lack of detailed condition assessment data, ongoing monitoring and maintenance are essential to ensure the dam's continued effectiveness. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, staying informed about the status of Lancaster Court Dam and similar structures is crucial for understanding and advocating for sustainable water management practices 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 Lancaster Court Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Buffalo Creek Near Wheeling | 8 cfs | → |
| Salt Creek At Rolling Meadows | 29 cfs | → |
| Fox River At Algonquin | 725 cfs | → |
| Fox River At Algonquin (Tailwater) | 784 cfs | → |
| Mc Donald Creek Near Mount Prospect | 6 cfs | → |
| Salt Creek Near Elk Grove Village | 645 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lancaster Court Dam.
Boat launches
- Fox River Preserve Lake County
- Picnic Grove Park
- North Ash Street 27951, Lake County
- Canoe/Kayak Ramp Vernon Hills
- Lake Atwood Boat Launch
- Des Plaines River Trail Mettawa
Campgrounds
- Camp Reinberg
- The Hollows Conservation Area Campground
- Fourth Lake Resort Campsite
- Mud Lake West
- Blackwell Youth Campground
- North Branch Conservation Area (Cyclists Only)
Fishing spots
Track Lancaster Court 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 Lancaster Court Dam
Where does the data for Lancaster Court 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 High 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 Lancaster Court Dam.