Willow Higgins Reservoir Dam dam
Willow Higgins Reservoir Dam
Willow Higgins Reservoir Dam, also known as Structure 140 Dam, is a critical piece of infrastructure located in Cook County, Illinois, specifically in the city of Chicago. Owned by the local government, this dam is designed to serve the primary purpose of flood risk reduction along the Willow Higgins Creek. With a height of 12 feet and a length of 200 feet, this earth dam plays a significant role in managing water flow and protecting the surrounding areas from potential flooding events.
Managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), Willow Higgins Reservoir Dam is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced by the state to ensure its structural integrity and safety. The dam has a maximum storage capacity of 32 acre-feet and a spillway type of uncontrolled with no outlet gates. Despite its moderate risk assessment level, the dam's hazard potential is considered significant, emphasizing the importance of regular inspections and maintenance to prevent any potential emergencies or failures.
With a rich history dating back to its completion date, Willow Higgins Reservoir Dam stands as a testament to the engineering expertise of Consoer Townsend Envirodyne. As a focal point for water resource and climate enthusiasts, this dam serves as a vital component in the local flood risk reduction strategy, showcasing the intersection of human ingenuity and environmental stewardship in safeguarding communities against the impacts of extreme weather events.
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 Willow Higgins Reservoir Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Weller Creek At Des Plaines | 1 cfs | → |
| Salt Creek Near Elk Grove Village | 645 cfs | → |
| Des Plaines River Near Des Plaines | 339 cfs | → |
| North Branch Chicago River At Niles | 31 cfs | → |
| Mc Donald Creek Near Mount Prospect | 1 cfs | → |
| Salt Creek At Rolling Meadows | 11 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Willow Higgins Reservoir Dam.
⚓ Boat launches
- Beck Lake Boat Launch
- East Higgins Road Elk Grove Township
- North Branch Red Paved Trail Northfield
- North Rockwell Street 3400, North Center
- Fairbank Road Riverside
- Central Avenue Highland Park
⛺ Campgrounds
- Camp Reinberg
- Blackwell Youth Campground
- Camp Bullfrog Lake
- Pioneer Grove
- The Hollows Conservation Area Campground
- Fourth Lake Resort Campsite
🎣 Fishing spots
More fishing →Track Willow Higgins Reservoir 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 Willow Higgins Reservoir Dam
Where does the data for Willow Higgins Reservoir 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 Willow Higgins Reservoir Dam.