Countryside Lake Dam dam
Countryside Lake Dam
Countryside Lake Dam, located in Long Grove, Illinois, is a privately owned structure that serves primarily for recreation purposes. Built in 1928, this earth dam stands at a height of 9 feet and stretches 165 feet in length. It holds a normal storage capacity of 773 acre-feet and has a maximum discharge rate of 1292 cubic feet per second.
Despite its recreational focus, the dam poses a high hazard potential, with a moderate risk assessment rating. It is regulated by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its safety and integrity. The dam's spillway type is uncontrolled, with a width of 177 feet, allowing for the release of excess water in the event of heavy rainfall or flooding.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will find Countryside Lake Dam an interesting case study due to its historical significance, engineering design, and management practices. The dam's location on Indian Creek in Lake County, Illinois, adds to its appeal as a vital water resource infrastructure in the region. With its unique characteristics and potential risks, this dam serves as a valuable point of discussion for those interested in the intersection of water management, recreation, and environmental conservation.
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 Countryside Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Buffalo Creek Near Wheeling | 37 cfs | → |
| Des Plaines River Near Gurnee | 104 cfs | → |
| Skokie River At Lake Forest | 6 cfs | → |
| Mill Creek At Old Mill Creek | 16 cfs | → |
| Mc Donald Creek Near Mount Prospect | 11 cfs | → |
| Wf Of Nb Chicago River At Northbrook Il | 64 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Countryside Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Canoe/Kayak Ramp Vernon Hills
- Des Plaines River Trail Mettawa
- North Ash Street 27951, Lake County
- Des Plaines River Trail Libertyville
- North Alleghany Road 116, Grayslake
- North Sears Boulevard 33435, Grayslake
Campgrounds
- Camp Reinberg
- Fourth Lake Resort Campsite
- The Hollows Conservation Area Campground
- Mud Lake West
- North Branch Conservation Area (Cyclists Only)
- Camp Lakota - A Boyscouts Of America Camp
Fishing spots
Track Countryside 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 Countryside Lake Dam
Where does the data for Countryside 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 Countryside Lake Dam.