Deer Lake Dam dam
Deer Lake Dam
Deer Lake Dam, located in Sauk Village, Illinois, is a privately owned structure that serves multiple purposes, including recreation and water resource management. Built in 1920, this earth dam stands at a height of 15 feet and has a length of 400 feet, with a storage capacity of 600 acre-feet. The dam is situated on Deer Creek and has a controlled spillway with a width of 38 feet to manage water discharge efficiently.
The dam's hazard potential is considered significant, with a very high risk assessment rating. While the condition assessment is not available, the dam undergoes regular inspections every three years to ensure its safety and functionality. With a normal storage capacity of 53 acre-feet and a drainage area of 15.5 square miles, Deer Lake Dam plays a crucial role in water management in the region.
Despite its unknown designer and condition assessment, Deer Lake Dam remains a key infrastructure in the area, providing both recreational opportunities and vital water resource management. With its historical significance dating back to the early 20th century, the dam continues to be a focal point for water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in understanding the complexities of dam management and its impact on the environment.
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 Deer Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Deer Creek Near Chicago Heights | 7 cfs | → |
| Thorn Creek At Glenwood | 27 cfs | → |
| Butterfield Creek At Flossmoor | 4 cfs | → |
| Hart Ditch At Dyer | 10 cfs | → |
| Thorn Creek At Thornton | 65 cfs | → |
| Little Calumet River At Munster | 21 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Deer Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Cedar Lake Public Access Site
- Oak Savannah Trail, Merrillville
- South Brainard Avenue Burnham
- East 138th Street Riverdale
- East 133rd Street Riverdale
- South Halsted Street Riverdale
Campgrounds
- Camp Shabbona Woods
- Pioneer Grove
- Camp Bullfrog Lake
- Kankakee River State Park
- Davis Creek Group Camp
- Camp Lawrence
Fishing spots
Track Deer 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 Deer Lake Dam
Where does the data for Deer 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 Deer Lake Dam.