Rayburn Lake Dam dam
Rayburn Lake Dam
Rayburn Lake Dam, located in Madison County, Illinois, is a privately owned structure that serves as a recreational area for water resource and climate enthusiasts. Completed in 1968, this Earth-type dam stands at a height of 27 feet and spans 355 feet in length. With a storage capacity of 64 acre-feet, the dam primarily caters to recreational purposes, offering a serene environment for outdoor activities such as fishing and boating.
Managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the dam is subject to state regulation, inspection, and enforcement to ensure its safety and compliance with standards. Despite its significant hazard potential, the dam's condition assessment is currently listed as "Not Available," indicating a need for further evaluation and monitoring. With a moderate risk assessment rating, the dam is equipped with uncontrolled spillways and outlet gates for managing water flow, emphasizing the importance of emergency preparedness and risk management measures in the event of potential incidents.
With its picturesque surroundings and diverse wildlife habitats, Rayburn Lake Dam serves as a vital water resource for the local community while offering a unique opportunity for outdoor recreation. As water enthusiasts explore the area's tributaries and offstream connections, the dam's historical significance and ecological impact underscore the importance of sustainable water management practices and climate resilience efforts in safeguarding our natural resources for future generations.
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 Rayburn Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Shoal Creek Nr Pierron | 471 cfs | → |
| Silver Creek Near Troy | 68 cfs | → |
| Shoal Creek Near Breese | 604 cfs | → |
| Cahokia Creek At Edwardsville | 107 cfs | → |
| Kaskaskia River At Carlyle | 3,790 cfs | → |
| Judys Branch At Rte 157 At Glen Carbon | 0 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Rayburn Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Highland Park Road Highland
- Schiber Court Maryville
- Hazlet State Park Boat Ramp
- Tamalco Bond County
- St Ellen Mine Trail O'Fallon
- County Road 175 North Fayette County
Track Rayburn 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 Rayburn Lake Dam
Where does the data for Rayburn 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 Rayburn Lake Dam.