Hecks Lake Dam dam
Hecks Lake Dam
Hecks Lake Dam, located in Marion, Illinois, is a privately owned structure designed by the USDA NRCS for recreational purposes. Completed in 1959, this earth dam stands at a height of 18 feet and spans a length of 375 feet, providing a storage capacity of 234 acre-feet. The dam sits on the South Creek-offstream and is regulated by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, with inspections conducted regularly to ensure its safety.
With a significant hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating, Hecks Lake Dam is equipped with an uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates for water management. The dam's condition assessment is currently not available, but it undergoes inspections every three years. In the event of an emergency, the dam's emergency action plan status and readiness for flood inundation maps are not specified, highlighting the importance of continued monitoring and risk management measures for this recreational structure.
Overall, Hecks Lake Dam serves as a vital resource for water conservation and recreational activities in the region, under the supervision of private ownership and state regulatory agencies. Its historical significance and environmental impact underscore the need for ongoing maintenance and safety protocols to ensure the protection of surrounding communities and natural habitats. As a focal point for water resource and climate enthusiasts, Hecks Lake Dam remains an essential infrastructure for both leisure and environmental stewardship in Illinois.
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 Hecks Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| East Fork Kaskaskia River Near Sandoval | 32 cfs | → |
| Casey Fork At Mount Vernon | 18 cfs | → |
| Kaskaskia River At Carlyle | 3,790 cfs | → |
| Rayse Creek Near Waltonville | 10 cfs | → |
| Hickory Creek Nr Brownstown | 14 cfs | → |
| Skillet Fork At Wayne City | 351 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Hecks Lake Dam.
Track Hecks 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 Hecks Lake Dam
Where does the data for Hecks 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 Hecks Lake Dam.