Otter Lake Dam dam
Otter Lake Dam
Otter Lake Dam, located in Macoupin, Illinois, serves as a crucial water resource for the surrounding area. Built in 1969, this earth dam stands at a height of 71 feet and spans a length of 1010 feet, providing a storage capacity of 24,708 acre-feet. Its primary purpose is for recreation, with water supply being a secondary benefit. The dam is situated on the West Fork Otter Creek and is regulated by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
With a maximum discharge capacity of 21,153 cubic feet per second, Otter Lake Dam plays a key role in managing water levels and ensuring flood control in the region. The dam's spillway, with a width of 167 feet, is uncontrolled, adding an element of natural flow to the water management system. Despite being classified as having a significant hazard potential, its risk assessment is moderate, signifying a level of stability in its operations. Regular inspections are conducted to ensure its structural integrity and safety standards are maintained.
Otter Lake Dam's strategic location and design make it a vital asset for both recreational activities and water supply management in the area. Its presence not only enhances the natural landscape but also contributes to the overall environmental sustainability and climate resilience of the region. As a public utility, the dam serves as a testament to the importance of responsible water resource management in the face of changing climatic conditions.
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 Otter Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Macoupin Creek Near Kane | 4,590 cfs | → |
| South Fork Sangamon River Nr Rochester | 1,160 cfs | → |
| Spring Creek At Springfield | 213 cfs | → |
| East Fork Shoal Creek Near Coffeen | 627 cfs | → |
| Sangamon River At Riverton | 2,290 cfs | → |
| Indian Creek At Wanda | 173 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Otter Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Waverly Lake Road Morgan County
- Beach House Trail 4292, Litchfield
- Island Bay Lane Springfield
- Christian County
- East Lake Shore Drive 182, Springfield
Track Otter Lake 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 Otter Lake Dam
Where does the data for Otter Lake 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 Otter Lake Dam.