Loch Lomond Dam dam
Loch Lomond Dam
Loch Lomond Dam, located in Mundelin, Illinois, stands as a testament to engineering and recreation. Built in 1958, this private earth dam on Bull Creek serves primarily for recreational purposes, offering a serene getaway for water enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. With a height of 14 feet and a length of 550 feet, the dam creates a reservoir with a storage capacity of 821 acre-feet, providing ample space for outdoor activities on its 72-acre surface area.
Managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Loch Lomond Dam is subject to regular state inspections, enforcement, and permitting to ensure its safety and compliance with regulations. The dam's spillway, with a width of 49 feet, helps control water flow during periods of high discharge, contributing to the overall safety of the structure. Despite its significant hazard potential, the dam is rated as having a moderate risk level, with risk management measures in place to address any potential issues that may arise.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Loch Lomond Dam offers a fascinating example of how human ingenuity can blend with natural beauty to create a harmonious environment for both recreation and conservation. Its location in Lake County, Illinois, surrounded by the tranquil waters of Bull Creek, makes it a scenic destination for those seeking a peaceful retreat in nature. Whether you're interested in the engineering aspects of dam construction or simply enjoy exploring new outdoor spaces, Loch Lomond Dam is sure to captivate your interest and imagination.
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 Loch Lomond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Des Plaines River Near Gurnee | 119 cfs | → |
| Skokie River At Lake Forest | 1 cfs | → |
| Buffalo Creek Near Wheeling | 6 cfs | → |
| Mill Creek At Old Mill Creek | 21 cfs | → |
| North Branch Chicago River At Deerfield | 5 cfs | → |
| Wf Of Nb Chicago River At Northbrook Il | 6 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Loch Lomond Dam.
Boat launches
- Canoe/Kayak Ramp Vernon Hills
- Des Plaines River Trail Libertyville
- Des Plaines River Trail Mettawa
- North Sears Boulevard 33435, Grayslake
- North Alleghany Road 116, Grayslake
- North Lake Avenue 39, Third Lake
Campgrounds
- Fourth Lake Resort Campsite
- Camp Reinberg
- The Hollows Conservation Area Campground
- Mud Lake West
- North Branch Conservation Area (Cyclists Only)
- Camp Lakota - A Boyscouts Of America Camp
Fishing spots
Track Loch Lomond 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 Loch Lomond Dam
Where does the data for Loch Lomond 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 Significant 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 Loch Lomond Dam.