Spaulding Dam dam
Spaulding Dam
Spaulding Dam, also known as Lake Springfield, is a concrete structure located in Sangamon County, Illinois, with a primary purpose of recreation and water supply. Constructed in 1933 by BURNS & MCDONNELL, the dam stands at a height of 48 feet and spans 3,300 feet in length. It has a storage capacity of 101,205 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 4,224 acres. The dam regulates the flow of Sugar Creek and boasts a controlled spillway with a width of 225 feet.
Owned by a public utility, Spaulding Dam is regulated by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its safety and functionality. With a hazard potential rated as high and a risk assessment indicating a very high risk level, the dam's emergency action plan is crucial for preparedness in case of any emergencies. Despite its age, the dam continues to be a vital resource for the local community, providing recreational opportunities and serving as a reliable source of water supply. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Spaulding Dam is a fascinating example of engineering ingenuity and the importance of proper dam management in mitigating potential risks.
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 Spaulding Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Fork Sangamon River Nr Rochester | 715 cfs | → |
| Sangamon River At Riverton | 1,730 cfs | → |
| Spring Creek At Springfield | 91 cfs | → |
| Lake Fork Near Cornland | 156 cfs | → |
| Sangamon River At Petersburg | 2,040 cfs | → |
| Salt Creek Near Greenview | 1,010 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Spaulding Dam.
Boat launches
- East Lake Shore Drive 182, Springfield
- Island Bay Lane Springfield
- Christian County
- Waverly Lake Road Morgan County
- Gridley Road Cass County
- County Highway 11 Cass County
Track Spaulding 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 Spaulding Dam
Where does the data for Spaulding 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 Spaulding Dam.