Lake Of Egypt Dam dam
Lake Of Egypt Dam
Lake of Egypt Dam, located in Marion, Illinois, is a vital structure along the South Fork Saline River. Built in 1962 by BURNS & MCDONNELL ENGINEERS, this earth dam stands at 55 feet high and spans a length of 2850 feet, creating a reservoir with a maximum storage capacity of 82,942 acre-feet. The dam serves multiple purposes, including recreation and water resource management, with a normal storage capacity of 41,215 acre-feet and a surface area of 2,265 acres.
The dam's spillway type is uncontrolled, with a spillway width of 200 feet, and it has a high hazard potential, indicating the need for regular inspections and risk management measures. Although the current condition assessment is not available, the dam is under state regulation, permitting, inspection, and enforcement by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Despite its age, Lake of Egypt Dam continues to be a significant asset for the region, providing water supply, recreational opportunities, and flood control for the surrounding area.
With its picturesque location and important role in water resource management, Lake of Egypt Dam stands as a testament to engineering ingenuity and the essential relationship between humans and the environment. As climate change impacts water resources, structures like Lake of Egypt Dam play a crucial role in safeguarding communities and ecosystems. By ensuring proper maintenance and oversight, this dam remains a key element in the sustainable management of water in Illinois.
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 Lake Of Egypt Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Crab Orchard Creek Near Marion | 2 cfs | → |
| South Fork Saline River Nr Carrier Mills | 17 cfs | → |
| Big Muddy River At Plumfield | 122 cfs | → |
| Cache River At Forman | 37 cfs | → |
| Big Muddy River At Rte 127 At Murphysboro | 153 cfs | → |
| Lusk Creek Near Eddyville | 1 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Of Egypt Dam.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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About Lake Of Egypt Dam
Where does the data for Lake Of Egypt 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 below 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.
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.