Timber Lake Dam dam
Timber Lake Dam
Timber Lake Dam, located in Tower Lake, Illinois, is a private dam primarily used for recreation purposes. Completed in 1949, this earth dam stands at a height of 20 feet and spans a length of 320 feet, with a storage capacity of 292 acre-feet. While the dam is categorized as having a low hazard potential, it is regulated by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its safety and compliance with state regulations.
Despite its low hazard potential, Timber Lake Dam presents a moderate risk level, as indicated by a risk assessment rating of 3. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway and is not equipped with outlet gates. Although the condition assessment is marked as "Not Available," the dam has a history of regular inspections with a frequency of every five years, with the last inspection conducted in July 2017. While emergency action plans and risk management measures are not explicitly documented, the dam remains a significant feature in the local landscape, contributing to the recreational and environmental appeal of the area.
Timber Lake Dam serves as a vital component in the local water resource infrastructure, providing recreational opportunities while also posing a moderate risk level that necessitates ongoing monitoring and management. As a private dam regulated by the IDNR, its maintenance and safety are paramount to ensure the protection of surrounding communities and the preservation of water resources in Lake County, Illinois. With a history dating back to 1949, Timber Lake Dam stands as a testament to the intersection of human-made structures and natural environments, highlighting the importance of responsible stewardship in the face of evolving climate challenges.
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 Timber Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Fox River At Algonquin | 725 cfs | → |
| Fox River At Algonquin (Tailwater) | 810 cfs | → |
| Buffalo Creek Near Wheeling | 6 cfs | → |
| Boone Creek Near Mc Henry | 7 cfs | → |
| Des Plaines River Near Gurnee | 110 cfs | → |
| Salt Creek At Rolling Meadows | 9 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Timber Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- North Ash Street 27951, Lake County
- Fox River Preserve Lake County
- Picnic Grove Park
- Lake Atwood Boat Launch
- North Alleghany Road 116, Grayslake
- Canoe/Kayak Ramp Vernon Hills
Campgrounds
- The Hollows Conservation Area Campground
- Camp Reinberg
- Fourth Lake Resort Campsite
- Mud Lake West
- North Branch Conservation Area (Cyclists Only)
- Camp Lakota - A Boyscouts Of America Camp
Fishing spots
Track Timber 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 Timber Lake Dam
Where does the data for Timber 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 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 Timber Lake Dam.