Waukegan Station West Ash Pond dam
Waukegan Station West Ash Pond
Located in Waukegan, Illinois, the Waukegan Station West Ash Pond is a significant earth dam structure with a height of 20 feet and a storage capacity of 140 acre-feet. Completed in 1979, this pond serves a primary purpose of "Other" and is under state regulation by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). With a hazard potential classified as "Significant" and a moderate risk assessment rating of 3, the dam is subject to regular inspections to ensure its safety and integrity.
The Waukegan Station West Ash Pond sits along the tributary of Lake Michigan, making it crucial for managing water resources in the area. Despite its limited surface area of 10 acres, this dam plays a vital role in flood control and water storage for the surrounding region. It is important to note that the spillway type is listed as "Uncontrolled," highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring and maintenance to prevent potential risks and ensure the safety of nearby communities.
As climate change continues to impact water resources and infrastructure, the Waukegan Station West Ash Pond serves as a key asset in managing water flow and mitigating flood risks. With its state-regulated status and regular inspections, this earth dam structure remains a critical component of the region's water management system. Enthusiasts and stakeholders interested in water resources and climate resilience can appreciate the importance of this facility in safeguarding the environment and local communities against potential water-related hazards.
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 Waukegan Station West Ash Pond -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Des Plaines River Near Gurnee | 119 cfs | → |
| Mill Creek At Old Mill Creek | 21 cfs | → |
| Des Plaines River At Russell | 10 cfs | → |
| Skokie River At Lake Forest | 1 cfs | → |
| Skokie River Near Highland Park | 1 cfs | → |
| North Branch Chicago River At Deerfield | 5 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Waukegan Station West Ash Pond.
Boat launches
- West Wadsworth Road Lake County
- North Point Drive , 60096
- Lower South Beach Parking Area Lake Forest
- Des Plaines River Trail Libertyville
- Blue Loop Lake County
- North Sears Boulevard 33435, Grayslake
Campgrounds
- Fourth Lake Resort Campsite
- Mud Lake West
- Camp Reinberg
- The Hollows Conservation Area Campground
- North Branch Conservation Area (Cyclists Only)
Fishing spots
Track Waukegan Station West Ash Pond 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 Waukegan Station West Ash Pond
Where does the data for Waukegan Station West Ash Pond 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 Waukegan Station West Ash Pond.