Levings Lake Dam dam
Levings Lake Dam
Levings Lake Dam, located in Winnebago, Illinois, is a crucial infrastructure managed by the local government for flood risk reduction along the South Branch Kent Creek. Built in 1935 by the Corps of Engineers, this earth dam stands at a height of 23 feet and spans a length of 1090 feet, providing a storage capacity of 1081 acre-feet. The dam's spillway, with a width of 1108 feet, serves as an uncontrolled release point during high water events, with a maximum discharge capacity of 40693 cubic feet per second.
Despite its age, Levings Lake Dam remains in a high hazard potential condition, prompting regular inspections by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to ensure public safety. The dam's primary purpose extends beyond flood control to include recreational activities, reflecting its importance in both water resource management and community engagement. As climate change continues to impact precipitation patterns and water availability, the role of structures like Levings Lake Dam in mitigating flood risks and ensuring sustainable water management becomes increasingly vital for the resilience of the surrounding areas.
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 Levings Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Kishwaukee River Near Perryville | 625 cfs | → |
| Rock River At Byron | 6,620 cfs | → |
| Pecatonica River Nr Shirland | 1,650 cfs | → |
| Rock River At Rockton | 5,610 cfs | → |
| Kishwaukee River At Belvidere | 258 cfs | → |
| South Branch Kishwaukee River Nr Fairdale Il | 98 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Levings Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Rock River Recreation Path Rockford
- Lakeshore Drive 3630, Winnebago County
- Cherry Valley Path Cherry Valley
- Harlem Road Winnebago County
- Draft Machesney Park
- Lakecrest Road Winnebago County
Campgrounds
- Rivers Edge Campground
- Hononegah Forest Preserve Campground
- Sugar River Forest Preserve - Pine Tree
- Sugar River Forest Preserve - Riverfront
- White Oak
- Shady Rest Camping Area
Fishing spots
Track Levings 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 Levings Lake Dam
Where does the data for Levings 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 High 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 Levings Lake Dam.