Wynstone Boulevard Dam dam
Wynstone Boulevard Dam
The Wynstone Boulevard Dam in Shorewood, Illinois, is a privately owned structure designed by Edmund M Burke Engineering to reduce flood risk along the Hammel Creek. Located in Will County, this earth dam stands at a height of 8 feet and stretches 49 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 83 acre-feet. Despite being classified as low-hazard, the dam is regulated by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its safety and functionality.
With its primary purpose being flood risk reduction, the Wynstone Boulevard Dam plays a crucial role in protecting the surrounding area from potential water-related disasters. Even though the dam's condition assessment is currently not available, its risk assessment is moderate, indicating a need for continued monitoring and maintenance. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway type and no outlet gates, emphasizing the importance of proper management and emergency preparedness in the event of a sudden increase in water levels.
As part of the Chicago District, the Wynstone Boulevard Dam serves as a vital component in the local water resource management system. With its strategic location and design tailored to mitigate flood risks, this structure exemplifies the intersection of engineering, environmental stewardship, and climate resilience 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 Wynstone Boulevard Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Harbor Canal At East Chicago | 1,820 cfs | → |
| Grand Calumet River At Industrial Hwy At Gary | 402 cfs | → |
| Deep River At Lake George Outlet At Hobart | 35 cfs | → |
| Burns Ditch At Portage | 738 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Wynstone Boulevard Dam.
Boat launches
- West Shepley Road Channahon
- Channahon Road Joliet
- Dupage River Trail Naperville
- Cottage Road Will County
- Goose Lake Road 3903, Grundy County
- Sundown Lane 7277, Kendall County
Campgrounds
- Des Plaines State Conservation Area
- Desplaines Conservational Park
- Camp Bullfrog Lake
- Blackwell Youth Campground
- Pioneer Grove
- Tony's Cabin
Fishing spots
Track Wynstone Boulevard 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 Wynstone Boulevard Dam
Where does the data for Wynstone Boulevard 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 Low 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 Wynstone Boulevard Dam.