Richton Crossing Dam dam
Richton Crossing Dam
Located in Cook County, Illinois, Richton Crossing Dam, also known as Richton Crossing Detention Reservoir, was completed in 1976 by Minder & Stocking. This private dam stands at a height of 16 feet and stretches 490 feet in length along the TRIB BUTTERFIELD CREEK. Its primary purpose is flood risk reduction, with a storage capacity of 53 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 920 cubic feet per second.
Managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Richton Crossing Dam is classified as a high hazard potential structure with a moderate risk assessment rating. Despite its critical role in mitigating flood risks, its condition assessment is currently listed as not available. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 55 feet and has no outlet gates. With state-regulated oversight including permitting, inspection, and enforcement, Richton Crossing Dam plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety and resilience of the surrounding community in Matteson.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate resilience will find Richton Crossing Dam an intriguing structure for its engineering design and the role it plays in managing flood risks in the region. Its location, design characteristics, and operational details make it a significant asset in protecting the local area from potential inundation events, highlighting the importance of proactive dam management and maintenance in safeguarding communities against natural hazards.
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 Richton Crossing Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Butterfield Creek At Flossmoor | 870 cfs | → |
| Thorn Creek At Glenwood | 671 cfs | → |
| Deer Creek Near Chicago Heights | 596 cfs | → |
| Thorn Creek At Thornton | 2,780 cfs | → |
| Midlothian Creek At Oak Forest | 223 cfs | → |
| Little Calumet River At South Holland | 2,240 cfs | → |
About Richton Crossing Dam
Where does the data for Richton Crossing 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.