French Pond Dam dam
French Pond Dam
French Pond Dam in Whiteside, Illinois, is a privately owned earth dam completed in 1965 for recreational purposes. Standing at a height of 23 feet and with a length of 405 feet, it provides a storage capacity of 77 acre-feet. The dam, located in Galt-Offstream along TRIB ELKHORN CREEK, is regulated by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and undergoes regular inspections.
With a spillway width of 55 feet and uncontrolled spillway type, French Pond Dam has a significant hazard potential, although its risk assessment is considered moderate. The dam's condition assessment is currently not available, and emergency action plans have not been prepared. The last inspection was conducted in September 2015, with a recommended inspection frequency of every three years to ensure the safety and integrity of the structure.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, French Pond Dam presents a unique opportunity to explore the intersection of human-made infrastructure with natural water systems. Its presence along TRIB ELKHORN CREEK adds to the diverse hydrological landscape of the region. As efforts continue to manage and mitigate risks associated with dams like French Pond, there is a growing awareness of the importance of sustainable water resource management in the face of changing climate patterns.
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 French Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Rock River At Como | 9,320 cfs | → |
| Elkhorn Creek Near Penrose | 84 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River At Clinton | 56,800 cfs | → |
| Rock River Near Joslin | 10,200 cfs | → |
| Green River Near Geneseo | 588 cfs | → |
| Big Bureau Creek At Princeton | 50 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near French Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Lock Road Whiteside County
- Discovery Trail Clinton
- 30th Avenue North Clinton
- South 4th Street Clinton
- 5th Avenue 198, Camanche
- Il 2 Grand Detour
Track French Pond 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 French Pond Dam
Where does the data for French Pond 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 French Pond Dam.