Matthews Pond 1 dam
Matthews Pond 1
Matthews Pond 1 in Litchfield, Illinois, is a privately owned irrigation reservoir designed by the USDA NRCS and regulated by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Built in 1969, this earth dam stands at 25 feet high and spans 400 feet in length, providing a storage capacity of 122 acre-feet for water from the TR- SHOAL CREEK W W FORK. With a normal storage capacity of 72 acre-feet and a low hazard potential, this reservoir covers a surface area of 9 acres and serves as a vital water resource for agricultural purposes in the area.
Managed by the St. Louis District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, Matthews Pond 1 has a maximum discharge rate of 253 cubic feet per second and features a spillway width of 30 feet. While the condition assessment is not currently available, the dam has undergone regular state inspections and is equipped with state-mandated permitting and enforcement measures to ensure its safety and functionality. With its strategic location and efficient design, this reservoir plays a crucial role in supporting irrigation activities and water management efforts in Montgomery County, Illinois.
Despite its modest size and limited associated structures, Matthews Pond 1 stands as a testament to effective water resource management and conservation practices. With a history of providing essential irrigation water for agricultural operations in the region, this reservoir represents a harmonious blend of ecological stewardship and agricultural sustainability. As climate change continues to impact water resources, the importance of maintaining and enhancing infrastructure like Matthews Pond 1 becomes increasingly evident in ensuring a resilient and secure water supply 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 Matthews Pond 1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| East Fork Shoal Creek Near Coffeen | 27 cfs | → |
| Hurricane Creek Near Mulberry Grove | 56 cfs | → |
| Shoal Creek Nr Pierron | 274 cfs | → |
| Kaskaskia River At Vandalia | 2,070 cfs | → |
| South Fork Sangamon River Nr Rochester | 673 cfs | → |
| Cahokia Creek At Edwardsville | 97 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Matthews Pond 1.
Track Matthews Pond 1 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 Matthews Pond 1
Where does the data for Matthews Pond 1 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 Low 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 Matthews Pond 1.